What percentage of your business will be organic/alternative products? IN FIVE YEARS? THREE YEARS? NEXT YEAR? 39% LCI and Landscape Management magazines poll readers LCOs willing to use natural products LCOs and landscape managers are willing to modify their business practices to use the new 
natural products. That, in itself, wasn't a surprising finding from a survey conducted by sister magazines Lawn Care Industry and Landscape Manage-ment. What was surprising was the number willing to incorporate natural products into their programsŠ118 of the 121 answering the 
question. The survey, mailed to 500 readers of the two magazines, sought to gauge green industry in-terest in the alternative lawn care products. Returned were 128 responses. That's not enough, obviously, to represent the whole of the green industry. The responses are more like a wetted finger to the wind. (Our readers defined "organic" as meaning a product containing carbon atoms. They took "natural organic" as meaning a product derived from living sources.) What would prompt lawn and landscape professionals to change their practices to in-clude alternative products, we asked? The use of "more environmentally friendly" products topped that list with 75 responses, followed by 70 respondees concerned about cur-rent or pending regulations, and 50 saying that customer demand would influence them to See POLL on page 11 WWN GIRE NDUSTEY Serving the needs of the professional lawn care operator MAY 1991 VOLUME 15 NUMBER 5 Supreme Court test seen as pivotal for pesticide use laws WASHINGTON, D.C.ŠAbout 200 lawn care and pest control operators put extra starch into their handshakes and pasted on their most persuasive smiles here in March. For the first time ever, The Professional Lawn Care Associa-tion of America (PLCAA) and the National Pest Control Asso-
ciation (NPCA) combined for the "Day on the Hill" fact find-ing/lobbying effort. One of the issues confronting LCOs in WashingtonŠperhaps the most significant issue of 1991 for commercial applicatorsŠis the case Mortier v. Town of Casey. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 24. A ruling could be ready by June or July. The case revolves around five different sets of pesticide reg-ulations adopted by the small town of Casey, WI, from April 1981 
through 1985. These ordinances were apparently triggered when a land-owner in Casey wanted to apply Roundup® on 20 acres to 
prepare a site for planting trees. He wanted to hire a commercial applicator to apply the product, but the town denied any application on 10 of his 20 
acres and said he could only apply the product by hand on the 
other 10 acres. Casey went even further by mandating a whole list of special requirements that each applicator must meet before being is-sued a permit. "If local governments are allowed to regulate pesticides, and the onus of congressional intent is lifted, it's our belief that there will be thousands of local regulations, and they will not be 
consistent with each other," Robert Rosenberg, director of gov-
ernment affairs for NPCA, said at a briefing during "the Hill" meetings. PLCAA Government Affairs Director Thomas Delaney said battle lines have formed on both sides of the local pesticide regulation debate. He said 11 states have filed amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs, stating their support for local jurisdiction. They See COURT on page 8 RirvT MAMTU ************* 3-DIGIT Hòo IS? CG4fli,i32 10 13 PETE COOXINGHAfl LI3RARY iii-121 jJSGA TURFGRASS INFO FILE MICHIGAN STATE UNIV EAST LANSING Ml 4afi24-l04â 3DG Photo courtesy of O.M. Scott & Sons Building on fertilization basics: cornerstone of solid programs BY DR. GEORGE MCVEY As nice as it would be to have only one way to care for turfgrasses, that's not the case. Different types of grasses require dif-ferent maintenance. Also, geo-graphical location must be considered. This is especially true when it's time to fertilize. Many turfgrass managers follow a program of fertiliza-tion which includes spring as well as fall applications. While fall fertilization is a must, early spring is not always as important or necessary in every case, particularly if fer-
tilizer was applied in the fall. But if it's not always crucial to fertilize in the spring, why fertilize at all? In simple terms, fertilizer is nutrition. Just as humans 
need good nutrition to be 
healthy, so do turfgrasses. Fer-tilizer supplies the basic food 
groups of the turfgrass world. Most fertilizers give turfgrass three major elementsŠnitro-gen, phosphorus and potas-siumŠand possibly a variety of secondary and micro-nutrients. Nitrogen is first Of the three major ele-ments, nitrogen is required in the largest amount by 
turfgrasses. It's an essential part of all living matter. In 
plant cells, nitrogen-con-taining compounds compose 
about one-half of the living and reproductive substances, See BASICS on page 2 A proper nutritional program can mean the difference between a healthy and a lawn covered with dandelions. BASICS from page 1 and are key participants in forming proteins. Nitrogen is associated with vegetative 
growth and density of turf, as well as its deep green color. A nitrogen deficiency can be detected when the turf be-comes light green or yellow. 
This change in color begins 
with the older blades which start dying at the tip. This progresses down the center 
until the leaf dies. When it comes to a nitrogen source, an ideal fertilizer 
should supply enough nitrogen 
for good green-up and the re-mainder of the nitrogen to the grass gradually, over an ex-
tended period of time, the ni-
trogen should maintain the plant's colorŠkeeping growth at a reasonable rateŠduring 
this extended period. As a warning, many profes-sional turf managers still fer-tilize with forms of nitrogen intended for agricultural use (in other words, for vigorous, quick growth). It's best to use fertilizers with slow-release 
nitrogen sources designed spe-cifically for turf. Root development Phosphorus, key in new plant development, largely contributes to initial root de-
velopment. In addition, it's re-
quired for vital growth processes of the turfgrass plant. Phosphorus deficiencies are most readily observed on new seedlings in slow growth and development. On estab-lished turf, blades may appear dull green and often turn pur-
ple in cold weather. Symptoms usually occur sooner on seed-
lings than on mature turf. Once applied to the turf, phosphorus is tightly retained 
by the soil. It's gradually re-leased to the plant over a pe-riod of time. Since phosphorus 
is held in place by the soil, it doesn't leach away. Applying 
excessive amounts, however, 
doesn't benefit the plant beyond its normal needs. Potassium's role The third major element, potassium, is present in all plants in relatively large quan-tities. However, its specific role is not truly known but it's normally associated with winter hardiness and disease resistance in turfgrasses. In addition to nitrogen, potas-sium is found in all plant tissue 
and contributes to protein production. A deficiency of potassium will appear first on older leaves. Blades become 
streaked with yellow, turn brown at the tips and 
eventually die. Turfgrass plants lacking sufficient po-tassium are also more suscep-
tible to disease and winter injury. In contrast to phosphorus, excessive amounts of potas-
sium will leach, particularly in sandy soils, with no added benefit to the grass plant. The 
type of potassium used is not important unless applying 
high rates of potassium. For greater safety with a high po-tassium analysis, choose a fer-
tilizer with potassium sulfate for a lower salt index. Secondary elements Secondary elements essen-tial to the turfgrass plant and 
often included in fertilizers are calcium, magnesium and sul-fur. Micronutrients, such as manganese, iron, copper, boron, molybdenum and zinc, are sometimes added to fertil-izers. As demonstrated in the preceding paragraphs, nutri-ents are classified as major, secondary and micro-nutrients. It should be stressed, though, that this classification describes the relative requirements of each by a turfgrass plant. Such 
classification doesn't demon-strate the importance of each element to the plant. All 
these elements are essential for proper turfgrass growth, with the major and secondary elements needed in greater 
amounts than the micro-nutrients. In general, we know the "food" turfgrasses need. Now is the time to specify the needs of a particular turfgrass area. While type of plant (Bermu-dagrass, bentgrass, etc.) is im-portant, geographical location and amounts of nutrients re-
quired by the turf are also cru-
cial. So before purchasing fertil-izer, have soil tests performed to determine exactly what the area requires. This will decide the type of fertilizer needed and how often to apply it. It 
can also produce very attrac-tive, well-maintained turf and prevent a number of long-term 
problems and complications. For more information about fertilizers or soil testing please contact your local uni-
versity's of college's agronomy department, or The O.M. Scott & Sons Company, 1-800-543-0006. LCI About the Author Dr. George McVey is a senior technical associate with The O.M. Scott & Sons Company Professional Business Group. 
He's been with the company since 1960. LCI Value of your current clients worth more than you realize LCOs can profit from property manager networking BY PHIL CHRISTIAN Your commercial customer base can increase your businessŠif you use it. Sales managers often instruct sales people to "go out there and knock on doors," or "do some cold calling." Sales success depends on the number of people called on. Their message: you're not going to sell every-one you see, but, you must see everyone you sell. 
This focus on new business is so strong in some 
organizations that managers offer generous in-centives for new business and little or no com-missions for renewing current customers. Sometimes potential customers get lots of at-tention and existing customers are neglected, at least by the sales staff. There's no question new business is vital to sustain and grow our businesses but don't mis-take this to mean only business from new cus-tomers. In residential lawn services, new sales and new customers are linked because most people 
have only one lawn. This isn't true in commer-cial sales. One purchaser may represent many properties and many service needs. Commercial buyers are networks of oppor-tunityŠinternal networks within their com-panies and external networks of other property management companies and properties. The notion that a large percentage of new business should come from old customers or friends isn't new, but it requires commercial sales people to develop special skills and man-agement techniques. A customer base? Current customers are visible because they send checks. Keeping them satisfied is the most important activity that we perform. The term "customer base" is broader than just current customers. It includes past custom-ers and "no-takers" (prospects that did not 
accept our offer). The broad definition of the customer base also includes the lost or un-run leads from the 
current and past years. The customer base has no specific time limits. You can look back as far as your records go and find past customers and no-takers that, perhaps, should be placed on current customer status. The value of friends A bias for the new customer results from not knowing the value or potential benefit of the existing customer base. Often it's more profit-able to work with old customers. Renewing contacts is less expensive than generating new sales. Production should be bet-ter with a learning curve in your favor, and if the customer has been on your program for more than one season, there should be fewer problems. Current customers are a continuing source of leads and referrals. They play a key role in your marketing net-work and provide a comfortable, warm market-ing environment. The value of info The lawn, tree, and shrub service industry is very much an information-based business. We're good at collecting and using information, but not so good at retaining and storing the information in a usable form. There is a beliefŠthe order-taker men-talityŠthat when you lose customers by can-cellation or non-acceptance of a proposal, write them off and move on to the next opportunity. This is foolish, particularly in serving com-mercial accounts, when your company has in-vested so much to bring it to current customer status. That investment should never be ignored or lost. If a customer cancels, consider it a tempo-rary loss, and implement retrieval tactics to get them back next season. If customers choose not to accept a proposal when offered, don't write them off. Employ a See WORTH on page 3 A healthy, well-maintained lawn will increase a property's value by 10 to 15 percent. WORTH from page 2 tactic to give them another opportunity. The customer that has been on your service or received a proposal, is a customer you've already invested in. The past customer or no-taker is the least expensive customer from a cost of sales point-of-view. If you don't get them this time, you will get them next time. Valuable to you Each commercial purchaser or contact you make is potentially valuable to your company. Property managers change jobs regularly. Each time they change properties, get promoted, or move to another management company, the number of properties they influence grows. This is good for your business. Ask for leads, inquire about other property managers and other properties managed by their management company. Work the neigh-borhood. These businesses are all part of your 
warm market. The lead card One way to acquire, update and store infor-mation on properties and contacts is the use of a lead card (or information sheet). The lead card provides accurate information on the property and people involved. It's filled out by the sales person as soon as the lead is received. The date and action taken portion of the lead card, which covers the bottom of the front page and all the back page, keeps sales people informed with the status of the property. If the property cancels the service or chooses not to accept our proposal, the lead card goes back into the system so the property can be proposed the following year. You cannot imple-ment or execute a save, renewal, retrieval, or second-chance tactic unless you have the nec-essary information in a usable form. Some very successful commercial sales peo-ple run copies of lead cards and keep them as 
part of their customer follow-up procedure throughout the season. Call reluctance With all these benefits and advantages of dealing with past customers, why do commer-cial sales people suffer call reluctance when 
dealing with customers? Most probably it's 
caused by the sales person's insecurity that 
they can A.) do something for the customer, B .) 
the customer is willing to listen to and consider 
the proposal. Also, sales people sometimes harbor some other incorrect assumptions. First, they assume that if the customer dropped the service or didn't accept the service 
when it was offered, the customer must have found another service provider and are pleased with it. In most cases this isn't true. Often this former customer has done noth-ing much. Or, when they do find another service provider, they're dissatisfied. The other assumption that unnecessarily disheartents the sales person is that the no-taker or canceled customer had good reason for this action, and harbors a deep-seated resent-ment toward their company. In reality, commercial customers realize that no company's service is perfect, and even though they were dissatisfied at one time or made another choice, they're very willing to take another look if given that opportunity. Managing the existing customer base re-quires the sales person to listen first, then use 
the proper language for each customer group-ing. Confirm, ask for order For example: existing customers are tempted to look elsewhere because they aren't sure your service offers the most bene-fit for the least money. It's up to you as a sales person to confirm the original buying deci-sion and extend the relationship through the next year. A good rule: don't worry about the past, con-centrate on the future. If the customer has a specific reason for the cancellation, hear them out, and assure them that will not be a problem 
the coming season. Persist with your sales pre-sentation. No-takers are customers who made another choice last season and probably don't re-member why the choice was made. That's all 
right because it isn't relevant to this sales pre-sentation. You're offering a new program for the coming year. If the prospect wants to justify their past purchasing decision or defend their existing contractor, you should comfort them by ex-plaining that you don't question their past deci-sions but you have a new program for the coming year that merits their consideration. The professional commercial buyer is a valu-able member of your network. They're willing to forgive and forget past imperfections pro-
vided that you keep on trying. Ask for the order. 
Ask for the referral. 
Ask to be a part of their management team. 
That's what they're looking for. LCI About the Author Philip D. Christian, III of Alpharetta, GA, is a senior partner in AGMA, Inc., and President of PDC Consultants. A review New Shi go book big on tree care science, business tips BY JAMES E. GUYETTE For LCOs who have branched into tree care, the latest book from Dr. Alex L. Shigo provides a healthy dose of science and business techniques. Entitled, Modern Ar-boriculture, Touch Trees, the 440-page book features 16 color photographs and 311 di-agrams and charts. Included with the technical information on proper tree care is advice on how to deal with customers. Shigo stresses: Ł There are no data to show that wound dressings stop rot; in fact, it may even cause it. Ł Prune branches as close as possible to the branch col-lar, but avoid flush cuts and stub cuts. Ł Trees survive after wounding by compartmen-
talizing the infection. Ł Microorganisms infect tree wounds in successions. Ł Trees get energy from the sun and minerals from the soil. Ł Do not top trees. 
Ł make sure the proper tree is planted in the proper loca-tion. "When we plant shade trees in the sun, sun trees in the 
shade, low pH trees in high pH 
soil, group trees as individuals, and the list goes on, it's a won-
der we have any trees growing in our cities," writes Shigo, an internationally known tree ex-pert and consultant who is re-tired from the U.S. Forest Service. "Once we understand the tree in its natural site, our job as professionals should be to put the right tree on the right site! I wonder how much longer so many people will 
show their lack of profes-
sionalism by planting birches in the shade, dogwoods in full sunlight, and the poor pin oak in high pH soils! Then they drill them full of holes to insert magic cures," Shigo writes. Shigo cautions against harming trees by drilling im-proper holes and wearing climbing spikes. "It is inter-esting to note that the same people who advocate flush cuts and wound dressings often use 
spikes." The author has dissected more than 15,000 trees with a chainsaw. "I have seen trees 
that have died from injections 
and implants!" he writes. "I have dissected hundreds of elms that had many injec-
tion holes. The long columns 
of discolored and decayed 
wood greatly reduced the amount of wood available for 
storage of energy. I have seen large cracks and cankers asso-
ciated with injection holes." Shigo comments that in many cases a sick or dying tree is in reality damaged by the tree care operator who is treat-ing it. For LCOs Shigo points out that grass or flowers planted 
around a tree's trunk will sometimes kill it. "Grass roots will compete with tree roots for water and 
elements," Shigo warns. "Roots of many grasses will grow deeper than non-woody roots of most trees." Flowerbeds around a tree can be trouble because the 
cultivation required injures 
the roots. Insect borers, twig 
dieback and then tree death results. LCOs and tree care people who install trees should be careful not to plant the trees 
too deeply or put them in com-pacted soils, common errors. "Do not buy or sell trees that have flush cut branches, 
tops removed, pruning cuts 
that leave long branch stubs or leader stubs, painted wounds, trunks covered with some 
wrapping, cracks, cankers and 
wounds. Would you buy a car 
or any product that had ob-
vious defects? Then, why do 
we buy trees that have them? (And, let the nursery know why you won't buy them!)," Shigo writes. Shigo calls topping a crime against nature, and he ob-serves that if a customer wants a tree topped it is time to plant 
a new tree instead. The book contains a num-ber of ideas on customer rela-tions, including advice on how 
to put together a tree newslet-
ter. The easy-to-understand diagrams can also be used to 
explain concepts to clients. Modern Aboriculture, Touch Trees is an excellent companion to Shigo's earlier Tree Pruning: A Worldwide Photo Guide, which was re-viewed in the July, 1989 edition 
of LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, ALSO BY JIM GUYETTE. Shrub care also is discussed in the newer book, which sells for $45. Shigo can be reached at Shigo and Trees, Associates, 4 Denbow Road, Durham, NH, 03824. LCI A tree's worth WASHINGTON, DC ŠThe Council of Tree & Landscape 
Appraisers says the fourth edi-tion of Landscape Appraisal Court Cases is available. Its 
legal cases reflect methods of 
landscape appraisal presented 
in CTLA's book, Guide for Es-tablishing Values of Trees & 
Other Plants. Cost: $15. Send prepaid orders to CTLA, Dept. PRM, 1250 Eye St., N.W., Suite 504, Washington, D.C. 20005. LCI High-visibility commercial properties provide LCOs opportunity to network with property managers. Irrigation Show Colorado 
Southwest Desert 
G.I.E. (PLCAA, ALCA, PGMS) 
East. PA West. PA Michigan STMA 
GCSAA OPEI GMA/NAC KOLN-MESSE Fla. Turf OHIO 
New Jersey 
NCTE Parks & Ree. Texas S. Carolina Virginia Rochester Maryland 
Purdue Nebraska 
Iowa Outstanding Solo Performances LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT is written for golf course and landscape professionals, while LAWN CARE INDUSTRY satisfies the information needs of chemical lawn care professionals. Together, they provide total show and industry news coverage. You could call their editorial and marketing teams "roadies," because they spend 50% of their time traveling to shows, tracking stories and getting candid perspectives from suppliers. Listed here is just a portion of the shows they'll be attending this year. Frankly, it's the only way to stay on top of late-breaking news and keep both books fresh and on the cutting edge of their market segments. This dedication makes them the authoritative voices on industry problems and opportunities readers need to be aware of...and explains why their competitors look like warm-up acts. Play to a Sellout Crowd When your product message appears in either LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT or LAWN CARE INDUSTRY, your ad plays exclusively to loyal fans and earns rave reviews that will improve your bottom line. Call your LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT or LAWN CARE INDUSTRY representative today to reserve space in the superstars of the industry. iLlülii COMMUNICATIONS 7500 Old Oak Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44130 (216) 243-8100 WWN OIRE INDUSTRY RON HALL Editor In Chief MAUREEN HREHOCIK Group Editor JON MIDUCKI Publisher ROBERT E. EARLEY Group Vice President TERRIE FREAR Production Manager ROSY BRADLEY Senior Production Manager JUDY ALLEN Group Marketing Manager KEN MCSHANE Production Director PHIL RUSSELL Graphic Design MARILYN COPP Senior Circulation Clerk GAIL PARENTEAU Reader Service Manager BUSINESS STAFF Midwest Office: JON MIDUCKI (216) 826-2855 Publisher ANNE LANGHENRY Regional Sales Manager (216) 891-2739 7500 Old Oak Blvd. Cleveland, Oh 44130 (216) 891-2739 FAX (216) 891-2675 Southern Office: DICK GORE (404) 233-1817 FAX (404) 261-7022 3475 Lenox Road, N.E., Ste. 665 Atlanta, GA 30326 Western Office: BOB MIEROW (206) 783-0549 FAX (206) 784-5545 1515 N.W. 51 Street Seattle. WA 98107 Classified DAWN NILSEN (218) 723-9349 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802 Please send advertising materials to: LAWN CARE INDUSTRY 120 W Second St Duluth. MN 55802 218-723-9465 RICHARD B. SWANK, Chairman RICHARD MOELUER, President LARS FLADMARK, Executive Vice Pres 
ARLAND HIRMAN, Vice Pres/Treasurer JAMES A. ADLER, Vice President 
JOE BILDERBACH, Vice President DAVID T. MAYER, Vice President 
BRIAN NAIRN, Vice President 
PHIL STOCKER, Vice President LCI ADVISORY COUNCIL BARRY TROUTMAN Massey Services Orlando, FL A. J. POWELL U. of Kentucky Lexington. KY JACK ROBERTSON Robertson Lawn Care Springfield, IL LAWN CARE INDUSTRY (ISSN 0160-6042) is published monthly by Edgell Communica-tions, Inc. Corporate and Editorial offices: 7500 Old Oak Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44130. Advertising Offices: 7500 Old Oak Boulevard. Cleveland. Ohio 44130.233 North Michigan Avenue. 24th Floor, Chicago. Illi-nois 60601 and 3475 Lenox Road, N.E. Suite 665 Atlanta, Georgia 30326. Accounting, Ad-vertising Production and Circulation offices: 1 East First Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802. Subscription rates: $30 per year in the United States: $55 per year in Canada. All other 
countries: $100 per year. Current issue single copies (pre-paid only): $3.00 in the U.S.; $6.00 in Canada; elsewhere $10.; add $3.50 for shipping and handling per order. Back issues, if available $10; add $3.50 per order for shipping and handling (pre-paid orders only). Office of publication: Edgell Communi-cations. Inc.. 1 East First Street. Duluth, Min-
nesota 55802. Second class postage paid at Duluth. Minnesota 55806. Copyright © 1991 by Edgell Communications, Inc. All rights re-served No part of this publication may be 
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical includ-
ing photocopy, recording, or any information 
storage and retrieval system, without per-
mission in writing from the publisher. Cana-dian G.S.T. number: R-124213133 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to LAWN CARE INDUSTRY. P O. Box 6200, 
Duluth, Minnesota 55806. ABI' VERA m MEMOS In advertising all statements must be provable. Tbat was the advice Iowa LCOs received from representatives from the Iowa Attorney General's office. Suggests the Iowa Lawn Care News: "avoid the environmental safety approach." Lesco Inc., Rocky River, Ohio is 
considering changing the end of its fiscal year from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31. "We feel our move to a 
calendar year will more accurately reflect our progress 
and potential on a quarter-by-quarter basis and enable investors to understand our business more clearly," James T. FitzGibbon, chairman and CEO, was quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. New groundwater restricted-use rule possible, reports PLCAA's 
ProSource. EPA eyes a rule to classify pesticides that have the potential to leach into groundwater (or have been 
diluted often in groundwater) to be classified as Restricted Use Pesticides. Some lawn care pesticides may fall into this 
category. The Reinders 10th Turf 
Conference in March drew 1500 people to the Waukesha (WI) Expo Center. A Milwaukee Brewer Weekend for a family of four was the grand prize in "The Value of Turf" poster contest sponsored 
by The Grounds Management Association of Wisconsin during Lawn Care Month, April. Wisconsin grade schoolers 
participated. The EPA in February announced the cancellation of 4,500 pesticide registrations for non-payment of maintenance fees. 
Most have not been in 
production for years. Some 
minor-use pesticides may become 
obsolete. LCI iNOR-AM. NOR-AM CHEMICAL COMPANY A Schering Berlin Company 3509 Silverside Road, P.O. Box 7495. Wilmington, DE 19803 Circle No. 111 on Reader Inquiry Card The New Nairie in NITROGEN! This advanced controlled-release material derived from methylene urea polymers is the ideal nitrogen source for all your turf needs. That's because NUTRALENEŽ works two ways. First, it provides a quick-release nitrogen through hydrolysis. Second, NUTRALENE releases nitrogen more slowly through microbial action for sustained feeding. This dual action (the result of its unique molecular structure) makes NUTRALENE the superior controlled release nitrogen source. The following points show that 
NUTRALENE meets all the professional's requirements 1 for a broad-use nitrogen. < This quality nitrogen source offers... Ł Quick greenup Controlled-release nitrogen feeding for up to 16 weeks Ł Both hydrolysis and microbial actionŠ not dependent on coating or particle size for release Ł Minimal leaching and volatilization Ł Consistent release of all nitrogen in one growing season, under all conditions, even during cool soil tem-perature situations 
Low salt and low burning potentials 40-0-0 guaranteed analysis IMPORTANT; Please remember always to read and follow carefully all label directions when applying any chemical. Copyright © 1989 NOR-AM Chemical Company All rights reserved UPFRONT L Š-J LAWN CARE INDUSTRY MAY 1991 UPFRONT L Š-J The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind BY RON HALL editor For crying out loud. How did this ever grow so far out of proportion? What I'm talking about are power blowers and the furor their use, more correctly their misuse, is stoking in more than a dozen cities, mostly in California. I've never shouldered a power blower myself but I've often seen them used. They seem to do a respectable job of blowing grass clippings off a driveway, or a sidewalk, or away from a garage door. (I've been informed, they're used in so 
many ways you couldn't begin to list them here.) The point is, their use certainly didn't aggravate me. In fact, it's hard to imagine anyone getting so worked up 
over power blowers that 
they'd demand action from 
their city council members. But they do. And some local political bodies react (over-react?) by 
either banning or restricting their use in their 
communities. Ilearned of this from a bundle of newspaper clippings, correspondence (letters from industry to concerned citizens and 
council members, their responses, etc.) and news 
releases from Echo, Incorporated, Lake Zurich, 
IL, a supplier of power blowers. There are maybe 100 
pages of information in the 
bundle. The complaints? Noise. Dust. Debris being blown where it shouldn't be blown, typically a neighbor's property. The blower manufacturer seems to be doing everything 
it can to address the problems including expanding its "Be Smart" 
education program to help power blower users. ALCA deadlines FALLS CHURCH, VAŠDead-line for entering the 
Associated Landscape Con-tractors of America's (ALCA) Annual Environmental Im-provements Awards Program is July 1 for interior com-panies, Aug. 30 for exterior companies. ALCA 703/241-4004. LCI New distributor NEWBURY, OHIOŠRoto-Hoe said Supreme Supply Com-pany, Akron, Ohio, is its new-est distributor. LCI This program encourages the "polite" operation of these machinesŠnot cranking up blowers early on a Sunday morning, or herding clouds of dust and debris into a neighbor's 
window or over their car, or 
a pile of leaves into their yard. We're not talking anything as tough as astrophysics here. We're talking basic Golden Rule-type stuff. And, wouldn't you just know it, some of the worst offenders are commercial users. I'm not saying there's any cosmic significance to this 
controversy, but it does hold 
a small lesson for us all whether we're blowing 
clippings off a driveway, 
spraying a lawn or mowing a 
backyard. The lesson: even small, seemingly insignificant 
annoyances, repeated often enough and given enough time to fester, can grow into big, big problems. In other words, if, in the course of providing service to your customers, you're really ticking off the neighbors, make peace with the neighbors. Or change what you're doing. Who in their right mind would want a city council, 
any city council, from getting 
actively involved in their livlihood? For crying out loud. LCI It only takes one insecticide to protect your customers from top to bottom. By using TEMPO" 2 Ornamental Insecticide, you can 
treat home lawns, flowers, plants, shrubs, even trees with unmatched effectiveness. Reduce exposure. TEMPO uses 80% less active ingredient than the leading insec-ticide, so there's 80% less chemical to impact the environment. And that reduces the potential for exposure to your cus-
tomers and their pets. Since TEMPO is a broad-spectrum, advanced generation pyrethroid, it gives excellent control at low dosage rates. This allows you to control tough surface-feeding pests like sod web-worms, cutworms, armyworms, even ticks without yellowing the grass or interfering 
with fertilizers or fungicides. TEMPO reduces exposure to your customers, your employees and the environment. A LMeTempoWill On top of all that, TEMPO is practically odorless. No phytotoxicity on ornamentals. Using TEMPO on all your customers' flowers, plants and shrubs is an excellent way to control leaf-feeding insects without burning the leaves or blooms. Plus, the fast knockdown and long residual of TEMPO make it effective on tough pests like pine shoot moths, web-worms and sawflies. And again, 80% less chemical means less handling, mixing and disposal hassles, as well as less impact on the environment. Less chemical needed to spray trees. Nothing is better on trees than TEMPO. Because not only are you spraying less TEMPO effectively controls surface and leaf-feeding pests like tent caterpillars, Japanese beetles and bagworms. 11991 Mobay Corporation TEMPO i» a Reg TM ol Bayer AG. Germany 911534 LAWN CARE INDUSTRY MAY 1991 FROM THE FIELD 7 A practical discussion of turf diseases 4M* BY CHRISTOPHER SANN From an LCO's point of view, all common cool-season turfgrass diseases can be divided into two easy-to-understand categoriesŠ foliar-damaging diseases and root-damaging diseases. Yes, there are some exceptions to these two 
categories, but for the sake of 
this discussion and from a practical how-do-I-end-some-of-the-confusion point of view, these two categories make a whole lot of sense. Leaf-damaging diseases This group of diseases is distinguished by two charac-
teristics. First, they initially attack the leaf portion of the 
turfgrass plant. For this rea-
son they may often show dra-matic visual symptoms such as light red or pink mycelium 
of Red Thread or Pink Patch 
or the delicate cobweb-like ap-pearance of Dollar Spot my-celium on an early morning 
dew-covered turf. Second, as a group they can be treated with the appropri-
ate fungicide(s) after the onset 
of the various visual symp-
toms. Admittedly, the speed at 
which the turfgrass recovers from this disease attack will vary widely, depending on spe-cies of turfgrass, the type of 
disease, its severity, the turfs health, and the fungicide(s) used. Some of the most common CoverTheWhole Lot. chemical into the air, TEMPO also costs less than other leading insecticides. In addition, TEMPO is compatible with all types of spray equipment and won't cause downtime due to clogging. And it's effective on such leaf-chewing and leaf-skeletonizing insects as gypsy moth larvae, oakworm caterpillars, leafrollers, 
bagworms and cankerworms. With 80% less active ingredient, it only takes a little TEMPO to cover a lot of 
ground. And that has big advantages for you and your customers. For more information, contact the Mobay Corporation, Specialty Products Group, Box 4913, Kansas City, MO 64120 (800) 842-8020. Mobay A Bayer USA INC COMPANY foliar diseases include Leaf Spot (both causal agents), Red Thread, Dollar Spot, Rust(s), Brown Patch and Snow Mold (both varieties). Leaf spot Perhaps the most fre-quently seen of all the foliar diseases, Leaf Spot with its characteristic light to dark brown miniature cigarette burn-like lesions is a particu-lar problem on stands of older Kentucky bluegrass varieties, especially common varieties, 
and on fine fescue. It can occur both spring and fall, although most damage oc-curs in the spring starting just 
after green up. It's symptoms 
can be exaggerated by the use 
of the phenoxy herbicides, 2,4-D, etc. in the spring. There is 
some evidence that the use of fungicides containing benomyl in the summer may also exaggerate Leaf Spot se-verity the following spring. Although most light Leaf Spot infections cause rela-tively little in the way of turf death, if moderate-to-heavy infestations are left untreated and the disease is allowed to progress to the crown rot 
phase it can lead to substantial turf damage. Thankfully, Leaf Spot in-fections can be treated on a curative (post infection) basis. My experienxe has been very favorable with most formula-tions of the fungicide ipro-dione when applied at the recommended curative rate. Actually, this particular disease, where practical, is 
better treated on a preventive basis. A light rate application 
after spring green up and fol-lowed with a repeat applica-tion in 30 to 45 days, if needed, 
will usually provide effective 
control all spring long. Some field trials indicate that fall applications of fungicide to control Leaf Spot 
may have some beneficial ef-
fects the following spring also. Where stands of older blue-grass varieties have proven to 
be susceptible to annual infec-
tions, the most cost effective long-term solution has been to overseed with newer, disease-resistant bluegrass and 
ryegrass varieties. This should substantially reduce the severity of the in-fections. Also, further over-seedings coupled with the withholding of fungicides to protect the vulnerable vari-eties will lead to the newer va-rieties becoming dominant and the older varieties will fade out. On older turfs, where over-seeding is impractical, two light rate applications of ipro-dione, spring and fall, is the 
best alternative for maintain-ing quality turf. See TURF on page 8 COURT from page 1 are: Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsyl-vania, Utah and Vermont. States on record as favoring FIFRA's jurisdiction include Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa and 
Louisiana. Delaney urged LCOs to encourage legislators in their states to file amicus briefs in favor of FIFRA. An official with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency couldn't give LCOs much solace either. Victor Kimm, deputy assis-tant administrator for pesticides and toxic sub-stances, said Americans' 
growing concern over the envi-
ronment and their health Over 200 LCOs and PCOs attended 'Day on the Hill". promises "increased sensitiv-ity, questioning and concerns" over pesticides and their use." This concern will translate into more action at local levels. Said Kim, "most legislation in the environmental area allows for increased stringency at the state and local level...We're likely to see that pattern con-tinue." LCI Monopoly high SAVAGE, MN ŠMonopoly Kentucky bluegrass per-formed well in "no irrigation" 
stress tests, says Peterson Seed Company. "No bluegrass has matched Monopoly in the U.S.D.A.'s five-year National Turfgrass 
Evaluation Program in 'no ir-
rigation' practices," the com-pany claims. Evaluations are conducted at 22 U.S.D.A. sta-tions under a variety of prac-
tices. LCI "The boss always said, just one more government regulation and he'd go through the roof." TURF from page 7 Red Thread Red Thread has always been a late spring problem, most frequently on older stands of fine fescue, but over the past 10 years, especially 
with the introduction of the 
turf-type ryegrasses, it has be-
come an increasingly difficult 
disease to deal with. The char-
acteristic red thread-like my-
celium can affect large areas of turf and the dried mycelium 
can remain on the leaf tissue for several weeks possibly act-ing as a source of reinfection. Generally on home lawn turf, Red Thread's appearance 
can be hit or miss. Control has 
been almost exclusively on a 
curative basis. Frequently, be-cause of the persistent nature of the dried mycelium, two or 
three fungicide applications at 14-day intervals are required to obtain good control. Root-damaging diseases Since, the root-damaging diseases initially attack the root structure, at first there are no apparent visual symp-toms. Later when the visual symptoms of root-damaging diseases do finally begin to ap-pear there is frequently massive turf lose despite cura-tive rate applications of fungicides. This occurs because the damage to the root structure has often been so substantial by the time treatments are made that any moisture or 
heat stress can quickly result 
in turf death. In cases where the infected turf has been able to survive the first stress periods of early summer, it will often die back during the more stressful peri-
ods of middle to late summer. Pythium Root Rot and 
Necrotic Ring Spot Despite the difficulty of di-agnosing the various root-damaging diseases, two dis-
eases that show up in late spring and that you should be aware of are Necrotic Ring Spot and Pythium Root Rot. Necrotic Ring Spot in-fected turf often shows small 
round areas of collapsed turf 
next to small round areas of 
live turf and appears at the 
first sign of moisture stress from mid-spring to early sum-
mer. The effects of the disease are most prominent in wet 
areas or under tress and occa-sionally will manifest itself in 
a general yellowing of the turf 
despite sufficient moisture 
and fertilizer. Fungicides containing fenarimol at high rates will stop any further root damage from Necrotic Ring Spot. Pythium Root Rot often shows up as circular yellowing areas in mid to late spring in areas with high moisture lev-els, often in shaded and drainage areas. Even when successfully treated these 
areas will reappear in the sum-mer months because the root structures have not had suffi-cient time to regenerate and heat and moisture stress may cause the turf to collapse. Pythium Root Rot is best treated with fungicides con-
taining phosethyl A1 or banol. Next month we'll talk about diseases of early sum-mer. LCI About the Author Christopher Sann is owner of 
Complete Lawn Service, Wilmington, DE. He can be contacted through Lawn Care Industry, 7500 Old Oak Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44130. CLCA hires firm; seeks PR help SACRAMENTO, CAŠThe Cal-
ifornia Landscape Con-tractors Association (CLCA) hired Deen & Black Public Re-
lations on a one-year retainer. The CLCA is attempting to strengthen its public relations efforts, as outlined in its re-
cent goal statement. LCI Some bad news for your grubs to digest. Ringer Grub Attack is the only milky spore product made by a patented fermentation process. You can apply it in granular or powder form to match your management practices. It has a very low order of mam-
malian toxicity Milky Spore is the name given to a natural soil microbe that is a death sentence for Japanese 
beetle grubs. The spores enter the insect's body 
cavity and germinate, turning the grub "milky white. When the grub dies, it releases billions of spores back into the soil to kill more grubs. A properly timed application will control grubs 15 to 20 years. So if you apply Gmb Attack this spring, it will still be attacking and controlling grubs 15 to 20 springs from now For information and the name of your closest distributor, call or write: Ringer Corporation. 9959 Valley View Road. Minneapolis. MN 55344. 612-941-4180. FAX 612-941-5036. Grub Attack Bettet naturally Walking behind an aerator all day is HARD WORK!! RIDING is EASY! Look at the Features You Get: Ł 3 speeds Forward and 1 Reverse Ł 70 Tines Ł 5 HP Briggs and Stratton Engine Ł 3/4 Acre Per hour TERRACARE PRODUCTS CO. INC. P.O. Box 248 Pardeeville, Wl 53954 Phone: 608-429-3402 FAX: 608-429-2889 Circle No. 112 on Reader Inquiry Card Circle No. 113 on Reader Inquiry Card POLL from page 1 change their programs. Just six people said "media hype" would influence them to use alternative products. How would lawn and land-scape professionals modify their programs? Most (76) said they'd com-municate more effectively with customers, while only 15 indicated a willingness to Non-point source pollution: what it is, why the concern Non-point source (NPS) pol-lution is a term LCOs will hear increasingly. What is NPS pollution? This is pollution that comes from any one of a bewildering variety of sources rather than a specific point such as the outfall of a pipe from a sewage 
treatment plant or a factory. 
These specific pollution sources are regulated by state or federal laws. NPS pollution 
generally is not. That's because NPS pollu-tion can be almost any chemi-
cal or waste product in our 
everyday living environment 
which can be carried by rain-
water into storm drains, streams and lakes. Or it can be 
leached into the groundwater. The past several years reg-ulators have started to calcu-late NPS pollution's threat to groundwater and the environ-ment. This is a huge task. 
There are so many sources of NPS pollution. Some exam-
ples (not in any particular order of significance): fertil-izers, pesticides, spilled motor oil and anti-freeze, wastes from pets and farm animals. These NPS pollutants can come from many sources in-cluding improperly operating septic systems; run-off from construction sites, roads and 
parking lots; the discharge of Lofts Field Days BOUND BROOK, NJ ŠLofts Field Days will be Wednesday, June 12, at the Lofts Research Farm, Chimney Rock Road, Martinsville, NJ, and Wednesday, June 19, at the Lofts/Ohio Research Area, U.S. 22, Wilmington, OH. Both begin at 8:30 a.m. LCI Arbor Institute course dates NEBRASKA CITY, NEŠThe National Arbor Day Founda-tion's new Arbor Day Institute 
offers short courses on ar-
boriculture, tree hazards and 
building around trees without killing them. Dr. James R. Fazio, former associate dean for academics 
and continuing education in 
the University of Idaho's Col-lege of Forestry, is director of the institute. For a complete 1991 course schedule, contact: The Arbor 
Day Institute, P.O. Box 81415, Lincoln, NE 68501. 402/474-5655. LCI sewage and garbage from boats, to name just a few. LCOs should be aware of NPS pollution, the increasing attention it's attracting and should conduct their lawn pro-
grams accordingly. LCI make more frequent service calls, and just 13 said they'd spend more time at service 
calls. Trade publications, our survey hints, are a vital link in the education process involv-ing natural/alternative pro-grams. What sources do LCOs rely on most for this informa-tion: 86 said trade publica-
tions, 79 mentioned univer-sity/extension personnel, 49 for distributors and 31 product manufacturers. Responders estimated that about 14 percent of their busi-ness will be natural organic/ alternative in 1992, 28 percent in three years, and 39 percent 
in five years. LCI What factors would influence you to use more natural alternative products? Regulations Customer demand Media hype Use of more environmentally friendly products SDO your DOTS distributor... Feed & Seed 804-232-6791 %Be Equips 'ai-ent 3-976J ... And choose the insecticide you need. Your DOTS distributor is no ordinary "stock" person, but rather a professional who deals with specialized formulas for your individual needs. Your DOTS distributor has a large selection of insecticides available in granular insec-ticide or fertilizer/insecticide combinations. 
Choose from DIAZINONf DURSBAN,® TURCAM,® SEVIN® Brand CARBARYL INSECTICIDE or 0FTAN0L.® Your DOTS distributor offers a variety of formulations which enables him to match the required active ingredient rate with a fertilizer analysis that will meet your soil or turf requirements head on! And, if you have any agronomic questions or problems, your DOTS distributor has the latest techniques in soil testing and 
analysis designed especially for your turf needs. Armed with the answers provided by this analytical tool, your DOTS distrib-utor will work with you to develop an individual solution to your soil's needs. Get started now. Your DOTS distributor is ready to work with you to develop an effective program to fit your needs. Just look for the red dot to know you're getting the best...from the best. Contact your DOTS distributor today or call 1-800-345-DOTS. BHB^ Distributor's Own Turf Supplies Indiana agriculturist becomes LCO to test wholly organic approaches BY TERRY TROY Wholly organic lawn care can be both ef-fective and profit-able but it requires commit-ments by both the LCO and customers. So says Brent A. Flory, president of Freedom Lawns, a Delphi, IN-based lawn care operation that's had excellent success with "wholly organic" lawn care. Not that Flory intended to be an LCO. He's, by training, an agriculturist and formulator who's worked with farmers in central Indiana for the past 14 years through an-other company, Deer Creek Farm Service. Much of his work at Deer Creek Farm Ser-
vice focuses on biological re-search and organic approaches to agriculture. That company helps farmers establish organic programs. Based on European test data and his own experience with agriculture, Flory de-
cided two years ago to experi-ment with organic treatments 
for specific problems in lawn weed control. "Our real purpose wasn't to set up a lawn care business, it was to design and offer a 
pesticide and herbicide-free system for those wanting one. 
But we knew it wouldn't do us any good unless we tried to market the system." Flory's programs are de-signed on the basis that the soil system is depen-dent on much more than min-
eral nutrition, that plant health can't be calculated on chemical equations and analy-sis alone. Materials used in the pro-gram include plant and animal protein and special ground rock minerals. The company also specializes in mineral im-ports from Israel, Belgium, Norway and other countries. 
It uses common and imported end product of a biological process. We want to create the availability of the mineral nat-urally." In another experiment, chickweed peppered an aging 22,000-square-foot lawn. Digging through P/2-inch thatch, Flory examined the chickweed roots and found 
accelerated decomposition. After thoroughly coring the lawn, he treated it with a unique plant and animal pro-tein mix formulated to hasten "We won't undertake a lawn care program unless the owner is willing to make a two-year commitment"Š Brent Flory, president of Freedom Lawn, Delphi, IN sugars. Micro-organisms aid decomposition in loosening 
soil structure and in control-
ling insects. Flory detailed one experi-ment where a specially formu-
lated calcium-rich mix pre-vented a heavy dandelion infestation from blooming in a 
lawn during the summer. "But sometimes getting the calcium up isn't as easy as put-
ting calcium on," Flory cau-tioned. "We found that calcium was the end product of microbial digestion. It wasn't a fixed element, but rather the decomposition. "When we did this. We thought we are either going to multiply the chickweed or get 
rid of it," said Flory. Six weeks later came the answer. The chickweed disap-peared. As a control on this experi-ment, Flory marked off a 
2,000-square-foot section of the same lawn, and treated it 
with a conventional herbicide. On that patch the chickweed disappeared in only two 
weeks. But several weeks later 
there was no difference be-tween the two areas. The 
chickweed was gone from 
both. When Flory attempted the same organic ap-proach on a lawn with less thatch, weeds were gone in just four weeks. Encouraged by the results, Flory's firm now offers lawn care, but only on a referral basis. "Our experiments were a good lesson. They showed that organic treatments can con-
trol lawn weeds," said Flory. "But they won't do it as quickly as conventional her-bicides. The property owner has to have patience. As a mat-ter of policy, we won't under-
take a lawn care program 
unless the owner is willing to make a two-year commit-ment." Is organic lawn treatment the wave of the future? Maybe, but it's not just around the corner, said Flory. For one thing, organic programs are more expensive than conven-tional programs. Also, Flory believes more research and ex-
perimentation are needed. See ORGANIC on page 25 FX-10: turf for the 90s in sunbelt? BY RON HALL FORT LAUDERDALE, FL Š Eleven square feet of turf is a speck, hardly enough to park a barbeque grill. But that's how much FX-10 each of 22 mem-bers of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative received in 1989. These growers, however, are confident that within a few years they can coax these smidgens into several thou-
sands of acres of a new St. Au-gustinegrass. (About 400 acres 
were in production by the end 
of 1990.) The growers, which supply about 80 percent of the St. Au-
gustinegrass in the state, are hopeful that demand for FX-10 will likewise grow geo-MIAMI/DADE COUNTY FLORIDA Population Total Households Median Households Effective Buying Income Average Price Single Family Home 1,889,000 717,000 $24,260 [1987] $102,636 [1988, new] $100,160 [1988, used] Average Temperature August Annual Rainfall 82.8 degrees 57.6 inches 164 Number of Companies Listed Under "Lawn Maintenance" in the Greater Miami Yellow Pages Statistical data courtesey of The Beacon Council Dade County Labor Force Unemployment Rate Annual Average Temperature Average Temperature February 942,086 [1988] 5.3 [1988] 75.5 degrees 67.8 degrees metrically. Besides Florida the growers see markets for the new grass in Texas, Southern California, the Caribbean; there's even been inquires from The Phi-llipines. What will earn this relatively slow growing grass a place in the hearts of property owners, the growers are betting, is its ability to remain green and healthy during moderate droughts (FX-10 has a deep root system) and its improved resistance to chinch bugs, number one turf pest in South Florida. This translates into less use of pesticides and less watering, perhaps no irrigation in some locations. These are legitimate con-cerns. See FX-10 on page 13 Why South Florida is so green Van Dam's The Fulton Company has a long history in lawn spraying business BY RON HALL editor Philip Van Dam is a busi-nessman with an open-collar shirt and a healthy tan, even in the winter. His pest control/lawn spray company, The Fulton Com-
pany, is one of many com-
panies helping to put the color 
of green Šas in turfgrass 
greenŠinto a particularly col-orful corner of the United States, Miami. It's a city often awash in harsh yellow sunlight and, on occasion, bullied by billowing purplish thunderheads. To en-
vious visitors from the north, it's a city that's treated to far more than its fair share of neon sunrises and sunsets. It is a green city; a city that's continuously taming 
and shaping luxuriant sub-
tropical growth into gardens, borders, displays; a city of lawns, all sizes of lawns in 
front of and surrounding all sizes of homes, pink homes, FX-10 from page 12 Thousands of new residents pour into the U.S. Sunbelt each year and are putting the squeeze on water resources. Turfgrass watering restric-tions and bans have been pop-
ping up haughty as weeds, 
even in locations that, at a glance, would appear to re-ceive adequate amounts of rainfall. South Florida in a normal year, for instance, receives just 
over 50 inches of rain. But 1990 wasn't a normal year-just 38 inches. And the rain didn't fall every couple of days 
to keep the grass green and 
growing. It was dry weeks at a 
time. Chinch bugs are another growing headache for lawns in South Florida. Standard St. Augustinegrass lawns that had resisted chinch bug infesta-tions for years are now in-
creasingly suffering insect 
damage, requiring increasing 
amounts of insect control products. FX-10 (a cross of four Afri-can varieties) is a product of 
the University of Florida 
turfgrass breeding program. It 
was developed at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Ed-ucation Center. Dr. Phil Busey spent more than a de-cade working on the variety 
prior to its release. "FX-10 is a manmade prod-uct, something that was hybridized and tested through a careful process of record keeping," he tells Lawn Care Industry magazine. LCI blue homes, yellow homes. Van Dam's pest control/ lawn spraying company is 
headquartered in North Miami Beach. It does business in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. There are dozens of other similarly focused companies in the greater Miami area, some larger, many smaller. (The Fulton Company does about $y2 million annually in lawn care.) These companies adver-tise lawn spraying, but make no mistake about it, they're delivering lawn care. In fact, chemical lawn care has been a part of the Miami picture for decades. In South Florida it began as an adjunct to pest control; it's pest con-
trol for the property outside 
the house. The Fulton Com-pany has been offering it for 35 
years. Even so, there are clear cut differences between structural 
pest control and lawn spray-ing, even though one company often offers both. Maybe 25 percent of The Fulton Com-
pany's customers take both services from his company, es-timates Van Dam. The two services require different diagnostic and treat-ment skills, and call for dif-ferent state applicator li-censes. Also, liquid lawn spraying, or even applying granular fer-tilizer with a spreader, is usu-
ally harder, hotter work than 
the typical pest control tech-nician encounters on his 
route. FLORIDA Lawn applicators drive big-ger trucks, trucks that cost as much as $35,000 each to pur-chase and outfit. These vehi-
cles require more maintenance 
and are more expensive to op-erate than the pickup trucks driven by most pest control 
technicians. For spraying lawns The Fulton Company uses Inter-national diesal trucks with 
1200-gallon fiberglass tanks See MIAMI on page 14 You cant grow wrong with Shaw's èli r^ß DowElanco Shaw's Turf Food Insect Control with DURSBAN We have over 40 years of experience supplying the highest quality turf products to our satisfied customers. Our Shaw's Turf Food Insect Control, containing Dursban, can be uniformly applied to any home lawns and other 
ornamental and recreational turf grass 
areas. This Shaw's product controls insects while feeding your lawn and turf areas. Shaw's offers fertilizers from the top of the line to economical general use-plus custom grades that are prepared to exact customer specifications. Shaw's product "excellence" is maintained and guaranteed by strict quality control throughout the blending, packaging and shipping processes. KNOX FERTILIZER COMPANY P.O. BOX 248, KNOX, INDIANA 46534 PHONE: (219)772-6275 / FAX: (219) 772-5878 MU. "Effective routing is where we feel we can save the most "ŠPhilip Van Dam, The Fulton Company. FLORIDA MIAMI from page 13 with 200-gallon drop tanks be-low. The larger tanks contain water. Control products are mixed on site. Most com-panies here control chinch bugs by drenching lawns. Insect control and, to a lesser extent, disease control still drive the lawn spraying business in South Florida. But fertilizing has become stan-dard service here, certainly more so than selective weed control. Apart from the ubiquitous St. Augustinegrass and the in-dustry's emphasis on pest con-trol hereŠprimarily chinch bugs although flea and fire ant control as extra-charge ser-vices are popular tooŠthere are other real differences be-tween the lawn care industry in South Florida and say the Midwest. Instead of offering four or, sometimes, five applica-tions a growing season like LCOs up north, technicians 
here typically visit customers' lawns every 60 days. Less com-mon programs include quar-terly and one-time service. 
There's also a small number of 
accounts, highly visible com-mercial properties usually, that receive monthly applica-
tions, usually fertilizer. The industry here isn't nearly as dependent upon sea-sonal help than it is elsewhere. And since there's no off-season, all months tend to be "sales" seasons for Miami-area application businesses. Geography and climate put some unique spins on the South Florida lawn care mar-
ket, but the competition is just as keen here as in any major Midwestern city, says Van Dam. That's why The Fulton 
Company must be operated as efficiently as any lawn care 
company anywhere. "Effective routing is where we feel we can save the most," says Van Dam. "It can in-
crease the productivity of every man, and it helps us keep 
our fuel costs down." Like other route busi-nesses, The Fulton 
Company groups cus-tomers geographically, ac-
cording to their locations on 
city maps. But it gives techni-cians an expanded treatment window in the 60-day cycle by 
breaking the month into thirds of about 10 days each. "For example, we can tell a customer that their lawn will 
be sprayed between the 1st and 10th instead of saying that we'll be there on the second Monday," says Van Dam. This allows technicians to more easily respond to both new customers and extra ser-vice calls without, normally, putting a lot of extra miles on their trucks. Van Dam says he likes to break his routes into a "dollar-per-mile-driven" formula, aiming for $10-$15 of produc-tion for each mile driven. "There are exceptions," he ad-mits, "because our first pri-ority is to meet customers' needs." LCI Chinch bug biggest pest in Dade turf FORT LAUDERDALE, FL Š The southern chinch bug is an adaptable bug and costly to control. Florida property owners spend millions of dollars an-nually (well over $25 mil-lion, a figure generated a 
decade ago) on chemical appli-
cations to save their lawns from chinch bugs. The pests suck the sap from the nodes and basal parts of the plant, causing it to 
weaken, yellow and eventually 
die. Both nymphs and adults damage grass. Ordinarily chinch bugs aren't active through the winter, not even in South Florida. This past winter was a mild one, however, and lawn applicators in the Miami area said chinch bugs caused dam-age. Control of this widespread turf pest isn't getting any 
easier. Developing six to seven 
generations a year in South 
Florida, it's developed resis-tance to some insecticides within seven to 15 years. Also, in 1985 sod growers in the state began reporting chinch bug damage to Flo-ratam St. Augustinegrass. Flo-
ratam has for years been the preferred lawn grass in much of Florida because it was more resistant to chinch bugs than 
more common St. Au-gustinegrasses. Dr. Phil Busey, Fort Lauderdale Research and Ed-ucation Center, researched the reports and discovered that chinch bugs were damaging Floratam. A subsequent sur-vey determined that chinch bug damage on Floratam was being reported in 34 of Flor-ida's 67 counties. "The problem is serious in certain areas, but it's still re-
stricted to a minority of the total Floratam lawns," says Dr. Busey. "What's probably more serious is that we can't rely upon resistance in Flo-ratam anymore." Pennant label includes zoysia on turf label GREENSBORO, NC Š Ciba-Geigy's Pennant® liquid her-bicide received EPA ap-proval for its use on zoysiagrass. Also, annual sedges, smooth and large crabgrass, and bearded sprangletop now are on its list of weeds controlled. Last year, EPA approved Pennant's first turf label. LCI Insects make Florida market buzz FLORIDA FIRMS LIKE TRULY NOLEN NOW OFFER WEED CONTROL/FERTILIZING TOO ORLANDO, FLŠScott Nolen's office in its relative emptiness tells a lot about him. It says that he hasn't the inclination to collect trophies (or at least to display them) and that he's a busy 
person. In the office there's a single desk, clutter-free but not particu-larly tidy. On the desk there's a noisy two-way radio and beside it a solitary artificial plant. There's one chair against one wall. The walls are blue-gray. They're just walls. Nolen is in charge of lawn care, Orlando and points south, for Truly Nolen in Florida. His office is on the Orange Blossom 
Trail, just outside of downtown Orlando. It's easy to find his 
office because there's a yellow, compact car parked in front of it. 
The car sprouts black mouse ears, as big as tennis rackets, from "The more quality service a neighborhood gets, the bigger the market gets"ŠScott Nolen, lawn care manager Truly Nolen, FL its roof. Truly Nolen, because of its unique vehicles and billboards (rivaled only by the inescapable Ron Jon Surf Shop billboards in number, but a darn site more clever), is, if not the biggest, probably the most recognizable pest control company in the state. But it's been in the lawn care business for the past 20 years too, and has 30 trucks on the road. Scott's uncle started the lawn spraying through Economy Pest Control. At first it's focus was killing chinch bugs in home lawns. But over the years, because of customer demand, it developed a more comprehensive insect control program, then fertilization, and most recently weed control. By and large, insect control is still what most customers think about first when they think about lawn spraying in Florida, says Nolen, and probably the most profitable sells for the company are flea and fire ant control. Fire ants, the tawny mole cricket (devastating on bahia lawns and increasingly destructive to St. Augustinegrass), and new homeowners are multiplying in Florida. It's not likely there will be any downturn in the demand for insect control soon, believes Nolen, nor in any other lawn ser-vices. "This market is very insect driven," he explains, "but com-panies like ChemLawn are making an impact with their weed control programs. The customer is now demanding pre-emer-
gents and post-emergents." With ever more attention being given to home lawns, lawn spray companies are being driven to deliver more responsible and timely service, Nolen says. This is good for the industry. "The more quality service a neighborhood gets, the bigger the market gets," he explains. "If you go in with low prices and poor service, it decreases." Although residential and commercial turfgrass remain very much a "look good" issue in Florida, there's a growing demand 
from customers for more agronomically sound, environmentally 
focused programs. Nolen says the diversity of lawns and lawn problems in Florida make it unwise for any lawn spray company to push 
calendar applications. "Everytime we visit a house, everything may be different and we may have to vary the percentage of materials," he says. LCI Regulations will drive up pro pesticide users' costs COLUMBUS, OHIOŠThe cost of doing business for profes-sional users of pesticides will continue to rise. One reason: more regula-tions. Ken Root, executive direc-tor of the National Chemical Retailers Association (NCRA) spoke to about 170 people at the annual meeting 
of the Ohio Pesticide Ap-plicators for Responsible Reg-ulation annual meeting here in mid-April. Part of his message focused on areas that agricultural 
chemical dealers (NCRA rep-resents 1400 in 44 states) can expect more regulation, spe-
cifically containment systems 
and pesticide containers. Other pesticide user groups can expect similar treatment, he said. The reasonableness of these regulations will depend, in large part, on how effec-tively these user groups give "real world" information to state and federal lawmakers. Even so, there's no indica-tion that the weight of regula-
tions will lessen. Root said an NCRA survey indicates that agricultural chemical dealers spent 
$23,000 per location in 1990 to meet government regulations. 
He included employee train-ing and record keeping in the 
figure. By 1994 when dealers will be required to have con-tainment systems in place that figure could rise to $77,000 per 
location. "At that point those people who have spent this money are 
going to demand that the en-forcers shut down those people who haven't done this," said Root. The loss of businesses that aren't professional ("doing 
business right," described Root) wouldn't be a surprise. What would be a disaster, said Root, would be a dismantling of the agricultural infrastruc-ture that allows a small num-ber of people to provide large amounts of high-quality food at economical prices. He said similar infrastruc-tures are in place in other in-
dustries, but they're being threatened. "The (profit) margin for you is going to go down unless you figure out a way to offer more services, and whether you're able to offer something that offsets this cost," said Root. "Most of that cost is not going to transfer to your bot-
tom line, it's going to be a cost of doing business." Another issue facing pesticide end users is con-tainer disposal, saic) Root. One of the first victims could be throw-away plastic con-
tainers. LCI "Let9s do the job right and see if we can preempt some of these regulations99Š Ken Root, executive director NCRA. Profit. You work hard to increase it every season. Your bottom line is important to you, and you're important to Special Products. That's why we offer quality, 
competitively priced products that provide an outstanding return on investment. This season, order more products from your Special Products Representative and increase your profit. "Increased Profit." It's why you're in business. It's why we're in business. SPECIAL PRODUCE A <®> COMPANY ALmiDUCTS, CSESESB Without volunteerism green industry groups die Practical steps any organization can take to reach its goals and succeed BY STEVEN J. DAY Once in a while it's worthwhile to reflect upon the ingredients of a successful trade organiza-tion, especially one formed with a rather narrow purpose 
or agenda. As an an example, many lo-cal organizations have been formed as a result of pesticide-
related issues and government regulations. What makes such a group want to? How does it remain a success? What factors often contribute to its de-mise? Historically, green indus-try participation in local special interest organiza-tions is erratic. Such groups 
are typically formed by a 
band of highly committed individuals willing to be-come totally involved in a 
cause they believe in. Usu-ally these people are recog-nized by the local green 
industry as movers and shakers; they jump into im-portant issues and create re-sults instead of waiting for them to happen. Development of such an or-ganization involves the 
gathering of several moti-
vated, knowledgeable individ-
uals from several factions of the green industry, or 
pesticide-use industry. Strategies for dealing with the issues at hand can often be gleaned and modified from similar or-ganizations around the coun-try. The network of like-minded organizations is suffi-ciently well developed that it's neither difficult nor expensive to take advantage of it. When it comes to tactics, however, local circumstances and needs of the industry gen-
erally require an in-depth 
analysis of the situation. An 
analysis of the issue could in-
clude the following: 1 Identification of the is-sue. 2 Who will manage the various facets of the issue 
such as government affairs, legal aspects, media rela-
tions, educational programs, 
administrative re-
sponsibilities, and so on? 3 Why and to what degree is the issue of importance to 
the industry? 4 Describe the degree to which opposing special in-terest groups are involved. 5 To what level have lo-cal, state and federal polit-
ical bodies become inter-ested or passed legisla-tion/regulations affecting the issue? 6 What is the real and po-tential impact of the issue on 
the industry? 7 Are regional or national trade associations involved 
in the issue and to what de-
gree? 8 Who are the primary op-position in this issue and what is their agenda? 9 What stand does the in-dustry's clientele take on the 
issue, and what stand does 
the general public take on 
the issue? 10 What are the geo-graphic boundaries affected by the issue and could this 
change? 11 What legal precedents have been established re-
lated to this issue? 12 What is the general un-derstanding of the industry 
on this issue? 13 Will a coalition ap-proach to resolution of this issue be appropriate? 14 What new, inno-vative approaches to deal-ing with this issue can be produced? 15 What government, aca-demic and private agencies or departments can help in addressing this issue? 16 What specific strat-egies and tactics need to be implemented to deal with 
this issue and on what 
timetable? One of the most difficult problems that organizations of this kind experience and need to face head-on if they are to succeed is that of vol-unteerism. Strong, viable volunteerism will maintain 
the "buoyancy" effect that 
stirring issues provide the industry, even after the issue is resolved or falls into a state of dormancy. One recurring concern 
regarding the level and degree of volunteerism is fear of liability exposure. The long-term success of spe-
cial interest organizations is largely dependent on volun-teerism. It's no secret that money does not abound in these types of organizations to 
allow them adequately staffed 
offices or remuneration for ex-
ecutive directors. Just as a severe lack of vol-unteer leaders and support staff can hurt the functioning of our nation's economy, the lack of strong volunteerism in special interest organizations tears at the cohesiveness of the group and lowers it to a level at 
which it barely survives. The liability insurance crisis is spreading to virtually 
all aspects of the volunteer 
community. Good, effective leaders (movers and shakers) are hesitant to serve on boards or get involved in or-ganizations because they are uncertain as to their personal or corporate liability in the 
event a lawsuit occurs against 
them or the board. Volun-
teers are being named in rec-
ord numbers of lawsuits that 
can involve very costly litiga-
tion. Small organizations shudder at the cost of liabil-
ity insurance premiums. Fortunately, many states have enacted legislation that offers some protec-tion for not-for-profit organi-zations, although this does not confer immunity from being sued. Usually, though, unless gross negligence is proven 
these lawsuits are seldom suc-cessful in holding individual volunteers liable. Colorado, for example, re-cently enacted tort reform which has helped allay some fears; however, many poten-tial participants and leaders are still saying, "It's just not worth the chance or hassle". There is nothing magical about starting and maintain-ing a special interest organiza-tion such as a pesticide-use group. The ingredients are 
basically these: Ł people with imagination, creativity and a positive atti-tude; Ł personal and corporate sacrifice; Ł a willingness to work hard to identify, address and re-solve key issues; Ł dedication and commit-ment to the cause and charter of the organization; Ł people with socio-politi-cal savvy. The most challenging prob-lem to overcome centers 
around those individuals and companies that are content 
with riding on the financial and work-product coat tails of 
the leaders. Leaders whose selfless sacrifice for the benefit of the industry is taken advan-tage of by freeloaders. Freeloaders want all the benefits of the organiza-tion's hard work and success, and they want to stay in-formed about the group's ac-tivities, but they don't contribute financially or productively. These type of people and companies only serve to make dedicated in-dividuals work harder and 
contribute more if the orga-nization is to succeed. The other main reason for the demise or ho-hum existence of these groups is that a key issue is 
either resolved or becomes a low priority. An organization should be prepared to respond to this sit-
uation by offering ongoing ed-
ucational programs to the industry, government and public, or find some other way 
to maintain interest in the or-ganization and keep the money coming in to put to good use for the industry. Oth-erwise, the group might as well 
dissolve until another "crisis" 
occurs. As with most areas of the country where the green in-
dustry is generally perceived 
to be a minor contributor to 
the local economy, it's some-
times difficult to arouse widespread interest and at-
tention of the politicians and lawmakers that can help us. In this regard most organi-zations fall short of effective leadership. See DIE on page 17 DYNAMIC DUO. Lebanon Pro 20-3-5 with What two products have teamed up to lead the crusade against insect pests? It's Lebanon Pro 20-3-5 with 1% DURSBAN-anewand improved fertilizer/insecticide formulation. We've taken our 20-3-5 fertilizer base, with four units of sulfur-coated urea, and added a higher concentra-tion of DURSBAN, a time-tested and effective insecticide. So you can get early green-up and sustained feeding while controlling surface and soil insects - without the time-consuming efforts of two applications. And for straight gran-ular insect control, try Lebanon DURSBAN 2.32%. From your source for premium quality turf products. Lebanon Pro The Season-To-Season SCU Lebanon Pro is a product of Lebanon Chemical Corporation. LefiSnOn 'DURSBAN is a registered trademark TURF PRODUCTS Qf DowE|anCa 800-233-0628 © 1991 Lebanon Chemical Corporation The lack of strong volunteerism in special interest organizations tears at the cohesiveness of the group and lowers it to a survival level Du Pont recalls product tainted with herbicide WILMINGTON, DE ŠDu Pont in March initiated an immediate stop sale and re-call of its Benlate 50DF, Benlate 1991 DF and Ter-san 1991 DF fungicides. It advised all dealers and distributors to stop sale of these products immediately 
and notify any Benlate and 
Tersan customers of the re-
call. Any professional user having any of these prod-ucts can return them to the 
point of purchase for a full 
credit. Du Pont said some of the products may contain atrazine herbicide. The level of atrazine that may be contained in Benlate and 
Tersan poses no human health or food safety prob-
lems, said the company. For additional information on 
the stop sale Š 1-800-441-7515. LCI Three top sports fields announced GREAT MEADOWS, NJŠThe 
top three baseball facilities in 
the United States for 1990: Ł Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL, the spring training camp of the Houston Astros and home of the Class A Osceola Astros. Managed by Bud Koehnke. Ł Ithaca College's Bucky Freeman Field, Ithaca, NY. Managed by Steve Johnson. Ł Middlesex County Vo-Tech High School, East Brunswick, NJ. Field man-aged by coach Ray Clipperly 
and his players. The awards are sponsored annually by Bean Clay®, the Sports Turf Manager's Asso-ciation, and Golf & sports-TURF magazine. LCI PIE from page 16 The best advice to local groups 
that plan to organize is to en-list the services of those in the 
industry who are effective in communicating with politi-cians, lawmakers and special interest groups. Many a frus-trating moments can be 
avoided if sufficient time is 
taken in learning how the po-litical process operates and 
how politicians on the local 
level are influenced by key is-sues that affect our industry. LCI About the Author Steven J. Day is a consultant to the green industry. He operates LANDSCAPES plus, Wheat 
Ridge, CO. Have a SPILL? Call Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300 Thoughtful Every chair was taken at the Ohio Pesticide Applicators for Responsible Regulation 
(OPARR) meeting in Colum-bus, O/u'o, in mid April. It was OPARR's biggest turnout ever, about 170. Discussions ranged from groundwater to composting to FI FRA. LCI LCOs have traditionally used Balan® a proven preemergence herbicide, to fight crabgrass. And now there's a way to get effective crabgrass control while improving your cash flow and making your application schedule more flexible. At the time crabgrass germinates, apply Balan DF, the new dry flowable formulation, tank-mixed with postemergence Acclaim® 1EC Herbicide. It's an in-season option you can count on if you miss your first pre round. Or if you sign up customers after your first pre round is already completed. In fact, you can plan to sign up customers later in the spring by assuring them you'll still be able to get crabgrassŠ with just one trip across their lawns. And you'll eliminate costly 
callbacksŠall by putting down a pre and a post at the same time. You have the option of reseeding or overseeding in the spring, too. A tank-mix of Balan DF and Acclaim gives you ¿Łeater flexibility in timing your applications. This season, put an IPM approach to work when you use Balan and Acclaim together. It's the most effective, most 
economical way to beat crabgrass and ig-^ use less active ingredient in the process. HOGCnSt ItJ Roussel A Read and follow label directions carefully Balan is a registered trademark of DowElanco. Acclaim and the name and logo HOECHST are registered trademarks of Hoechst AG The name and logo ROUSSEL are registered trademarks of Roussei UclafS A. Some in green industry see advantages to using propane BY JAMES E. GUYETTE Look for propane-powered trucks, mowers and aerators to become more common within the lawn care industry as government policies are developed to en-courage the use of alternative fuels. In the aftermath of the Per-sian Gulf War, President George Bush's proposed na-tional energy strategyŠde-signed to lessen the country's 
dependence on foreign oil-projects a five percent increase in the use of natural gas by the year 2000, about an additional 1 trillion cubic feet. Propane plays a large role in this scenario because propane, 
butane and Liquified Pe-
troleum Gas are terms for sim-ilar fuels created during the processing of natural gas and crude oil. (Natural gas itself can power vehicles, but because it always remains a gasŠthe other fuels are stored as liq-uidsŠit requires larger tanks 
and more frequent refills.) About 84 percent of the na-tion's propane supply is pro-
duced domestically. The rest 
comes from Canada and Mex-ico. c oncerns over air pollu-tion may provide an-other push toward propane. In California, any tool powered by gasoline comes un-der the California Air Re-sources Board. CARB will be treating emissions from mowers the same as emissions from trucks. Smaller gasoline engines can produce 50 times more 
pollution per horsepower than 
car or truck engines, and CARB says that by 1994 equipment manufacturers will have to reduce mower pollu-tants by 55 percent. Several companies within the lawn care field have con-
verted to LP-Gas, and they ex-press pleasure with the 
performance of propane. "It's got a good role in your industryŠno question about it," says Bob Meyers, presi-dent of the California-based LP-Gas Clean Fuels Coali-tion. "We use propane in our fleet," reports Steve Geist, plant pathologist/fleet mana-ger at the Swingle Tree Co. Inc. in Denver. Of the 84 vehicles on hand, 20 percent of them can operate on propane. Dashboard switches allow the operator to choose between gasoline- and propane-power based on the task being performed. Prices fluctuate, Geist 
says. Sometimes pro-pane is a bargain. Sometimes it's not. "In the summer the pro-pane industry's depressed be-cause nobody's using it for heating," he says. But when demand is high, it can be hard 
to come by. Propane tends to be more readily available in areas where petroleum production is pushed. Like California and other states, in Colorado there is great concern over air pollu-tion and strict emissions stan-
dards are in place. Not only does the clean-burning propane make it easier to pass exhaust tests, 
but Geist says Swingle cus-tomers like seeing propane-
powered trucks roll up to their 
yards. "We use it for public relations." Fears over underground fuel tank leaks also are elimi-
nated because the 2,000-gallon tanks at Swingle are perched 
above-ground. "We have two 
dispensing systems out here." Although propane enters a vehicle's carburator as a dry vaporŠthanks to the con-
version mechanismsŠit is stored and dispensed as a cold liquid. "It's just like filling up your barbeque bottle," explains Geist. "You will get frostbite 
from it so you wear gloves." To convert an older gas-oline-powered truck to gas/ propane use costs about $1,300. The fee is $1,500 to 
$1,600 for converting an elec-tronic ignition model. Geist says it takes about two years to 
recover that investment based on fuel cost savings. Converting diesels to propane is not recom-mended. Any vehicle requiring leaded fuel is a poor candidate for conversion be-cause valve jobs may be needed. (The lead in the old gas helped lubricate the sys-tems, which have since been re-engineered.) In regard to miles per gal-lon, typically 10 percent more propane is needed when com-
pared to gasoline, and for heavy duty uses the propane power output is less. However, savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance tend to offset these factors. Swingle is still running a propane-powered 1979 truck 
with the original engine, "and we only change the spark plugs 
once a year," says Geist. "You don't get as much sludge build-up in the crank case as you would with a pe-troleum (gasoline) product," he observes. Nationwide, at presstime the average cost of gas at the pump was $1.16 a gallon. The average cost for residential Switch to Propane Typical propane conversion for a pickup. CONVERTER SIMPLE PROPANE CARBURETOR Even mowers run on propane at Innisbrook in Florida. propane was 95 cents a gallon. Both fuels tend to be cheaper when purchased in fleet-sized amounts. At the jumbo Florida re-sort of Innisbrook in Tarpon Springs, more than 100 pieces of propane-powered turf care equip-mentŠfrom aerators to 
mowersŠare on the job. Products from Cushman, Toro and Excel have been con-verted. "They work out greatŠyou can run all day," says Alan Bollenbacher, direc-tor of support services. A pro-
pane mower can go for eight hours without being refueled. "Propane on medium-duty equipment is great," Bollen-bacher comments. "There's less carbon build-up." LCOs have an opportunity to work out a deal with pro-
pane suppliers when consider-ing switching over. "The gas company came in and con-
verted them for us," recalls Bollenbacher. "It was all part of the contract. It was close to being free." An LCO who opts for pro-pane may need additional training for the mechanic who looks after the equipment, 
Bollenbacher points out. "You 
have to have somebody who understands propane to work 
on them." Propane proponents stress the fuel's cheaper cost and 
cleaner-burning properties: Ł They say it has a higher octane of 110 to 120 without additives, compared to the 86 
to 87 octane rating of regular 
unleaded gasoline. Ł Fewer spark plugs, oil fil-ters, oil changes, overhauls 
and carburator repairs are needed because there are no 
lead, carbon or other sludge creating properties in pro-
pane. Ł Spark plugs last four to five times longer and oil main-tains its lubricating properties five to ten times longer. Ł Downtime is reduced. Ł Emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are much lower than gas-olineŠpropane-powered for-klifts have been used indoors 
for years. "It's demonstrated to have some real environmental ben-efits," says Meyers at the LP-Gas Clean Fuels Coalition. According to J. Rodney An-derson, marketing coordi-nator for the Texas LP-Gas Association, more than four 
million vehicles worldwide use propane, 500,000 in the 
United States. LCI Conversion from gasoline to propane runs anywhere from $1200 to $1600 per truck Above-ground storage one advantage of propane for vehicles. Finding, training technicians becoming a needed investment BY DUANE MOLL There's no substitute for an effective and knowledgeable landscape care technician. He's your link to the cus-tomer. He's the person the 
customer identifies with your 
company. He's the thread that 
ties customers to your com-pany. He can also undo, in one day or one hour, what it took your advertising and sales ef-forts a month or more, some-times at large expense, to 
achieve. You want a technician that not only provides good service to your customers but that's also an ambassador for your 
company. The growth of integrated pest management (IPM) prac-tices is another factor in the 
technician picture. It's an-
other step in a training process 
that takes landscape (lawn) technicians from the realm of glorified gardeners or nozzleheads to knowledgeable service personnel. Industry wises up That's because the industry finally realizes it must hire wisely and it must train those it hires. The marketŠa grow-
ing part of it anywayŠ in-creasingly demands that the technician do more than apply chemicals to a lawn. More time and effort must be spent in finding this techni-cian and in training him. More 
effort will be needed to keep this individual. A well-trained person will deliver a more valuable service 
and will be the glue between your company and its custom-
ers. Service is customer satis-faction and a good technician can give customers the atten-tion and expertise they de-mand while smoothing over a 
number of mistakes, errors, or shortcomings of the technical program, the company com-
puter, or any of the other weak spots in the organization. (Ac-tually, this would be the case whether you deliver IPM ser-
vice or not.) The ideal employee is knowledgeable and cooper-ative, able to work alone, hon-
est, hard working, and personable. This is someone motivated to learn about land-scape (lawn) care. There are such people seek-ing opportunities. How do we find and attract them to the green industry? How do you find and attract them? Fewer young males As the baby boomers gray, and as their demand for goods and services increase, smaller families and other societal and demographic factors reduce 
the young, male workforce the green industry depends upon to service the landscapes and lawns. Fewer people are available to meet this demand for ser-
vices. This will not improve soon. The 1990s promise more competition among many in-
dustries for that most valuable 
of all resourcesŠhuman re-sources. Wise employers will not only devote more time to re-
cruiting valuable employees but also in keeping them. This is a switch for many in the green industry who, previ-
ously, looked at much of the green industry workforce as seasonal and temporary. That thinking is changing and some owners are developing long-
term strategies of more educa-tion and increased oppor-tunities for key employees. These owners promote the green industry as not just a job but, perhaps, a career with in-creasingly attractive pay and benefits packages. Some of the benefits offered to employees now include health insurance, bonuses, paid vacations, production in-centives, etc. Because work in our indus-try is so weather dependent, a salary or other method of com-pensation that guarantees a steady income may be advis-
able (where legal) to lure good prospects. A question of pay? Benefits and pay alone won't solve the worker di-lemma. Other factors are im-portant, including a com-pany's working atmosphere and the interest the organiza-tion shows in its people. That's extremely important 
for some people. When a new hire startsŠ unless he has had previous ed-
ucation or experience in land-scape careŠhe typically feels overwhelmed about turf and 
ornamental care. Throw a more complicated aspect like IPM into the equa-
tion and he's likely to feel it's 
quite beyond him. Indeed, training a new hire in a short period of time about 
landscape or turf care is a tall See MOLL on page 22 WHEN YOU'VE GOT GRUB CONTROL THAT'S THIS GOOD, WHY NOT SPREAD IT AROUND? When it comes to grub control, there's nothing faster or more effective than DYLOX® Insecticide from Mobay. Now, thanks to DYLOX 6.2 Granular Insecticide, there are two great formulations of DYLOX to tackle tough grub problems. DYLOX gives you the fast-acting protection you've come to depend on, and now the new granular formulation 
makes it even easier to use. So find out Because the only thing faster than DYLOX at work, is the way its reputation for grub control has been spreading. Mobay Corpora-tion, Specialty Products Group, Box 4913, Kansas City, MO 64120. (800) 842-8020. MOLL from page 21 order. Even with excellent training, new employees won't become experts overnight. They should, however, be ex-
pected to learn in short order enough to speak intelligently 
to customers and promote 
confidence in your company and its services. Consider hiring a month or two sooner than you normally 
would. This may allow you to 
attract good people before they get snatched by the com-petition. This allows an op-portunity for preliminary 
training before the season starts. Maybe you can make these new employees produc-
tive during this early time by giving them simple sales, mar-keting or other organizational tasks. Get a good start Early training can focus on pesticide use, application techniques and pest problems 
as well as subjects not often not dealt with adequately such as plant identification, plant physiology, plant growth and development, fertility, and 
customer relations. (Although 
technicians rarely speak to 
customers about plant phys-iology, the more they are fa-
miliar with this, the more their confidence and motiva-tion will increase as well as their value to the firm.) This initial training, how-ever, is only a start, particu-larly if your company's service incorporates IPM techniques. Ground War On Your Turf? Ł Here's Your Best Defense. Put Tee Time with DURSRAN in your turf care arsenal this year. You'll have the proven might to knock out a broad spectrum of invasive insects. The combination of The Andersons' Tee Time fertilizers with Dursban* provides added turf nourishment in the same 
application. Available straight or custom 
blended, we've got the formula for you. Ask us about: Ł Tee Time 2.5% Diirsban: This granular is erar diotu insecticide controls ants, chinchougs, crickets, cutworms, sod webworms, sowbugs, billbugs, and others. Ł Tee Time 38-00,18-3-5, or 30-3-5: All incorporate Dursban but are fortified with fertilizer for turf enrichment. These and many other "batde hardened" turf care products are available now from 
your nearest Tee Time distributor. For more information call toll free: 1-800-255-ANDY (2639) the professional's partner® The ÍÍCÍ» Andersons ® Dursban is a trademark of DowElanco © 1991, Tee Time is a trademark of The Andersons As the season progresses, weekly sessions that focus on specific pests, their lifecycles and methods of control, pesticide use and safety, cus-tomer relations, specific chemi-
cal attributes, and equipment safety give the technician on-going education, and reinforces 
earlier training. Weekly testing is a good idea. You can evaluate techni-cian knowledge and the effec-tiveness of the training 
program. Who should do the train-ing? There are probably peo-ple in your organization capable of training new em-ployees. Having an experienced technician handle a training session will promote his own education as well as others. 
The session may not be perfect 
but because he researched the subject and prepared the ses-sion himself he increased his 
own knowledge of the subject. LCI About the Author Duane Moll is president of Horticulture Concepts, a landscape management consulting firm in Aurora, CO, specializing in integrated pest management, chemical use and evaluation and training. Source: Cushman Pricing key to aerating profits Some industry members reveal how much they charge Pricing aerating services is key to making this add-on ser-vice profitableŠprofitable to you, the LCO, that is. Afterall, you've already put together a strong marketing program. This plan stresses the benefits of aeration to lawn grassŠbetter uptake of water and nutrients, less dis-ease, thatch reduction, etc. 
You've found clients, pre-sented the (See March 1991 Lawn Care Industry.) But, you must remember, you're goal is to make a profit from the service. Otherwise you'll just be punching holes in clients' lawns, but you won't 
be punching them long. So, if you don't price this service to make a profit, why bother? Pricing ideas Greg Schreiner, president of Aeration Consultants, En-glewood, CO, started as an 
aeration-only service, but his 
company has since expanded into lawn care. Aeration Con-
sultants also acts as an aera-tion subcontractor for other firms. Other companies some-times sell the service, and Schreiner's operation sets up the scheduling. A customer with a stan-dard-sized lawn is charged 
$100. Schreiner keeps $60 and 
the other company gets $40. An LCO thinking about of-fering aeration should set a min-
imum fee after factoring such costs as trucks, equipment, la-bor, time, fuel, etc., says Schreiner. Those calculations should provide a reasonably 
good idea about how long it will take to pay for the initial invest-ment, basically the aerators. Aim for a profit Find out what the larger companies in your town are 
charging. "Call up the big boys," he advises. Ignore the small-time operators who just happen to show up in the 
neighborhood with an aerator 
in tow. "We're getting beaten up by guys going down the street and 
charging $20," he laments, 
adding that you just have to put those people out of your mindŠknowing that they're not likely to be around long. A fee of $35 to $45 for up to 3,000 square feet is about right in his market area, says Schreiner, with $8 tO $10 being tacked on for each 1,000 square feet after that. Different market areas, however, support different prices. Leisure Lawn Inc., Dayton, Ohio, charges a minimum of $70 per lawn, and the price 
goes up as the square footage increases. A one-half acre lot brings in $135, says company 
vice president Mark Kelley. And Green Drop, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, charges $60 
for any aeration up to 4,000 
square feet. After that the price rises $15 per 1000 square feet, company official James Rogers said at the Profes-sional Lawn Care Association of America Conference. Any doubts about getting enough business to pay for 
your machine, consider rent-ing or leasing an aerator. Also, offer this service to LCOs who don't own a aerator. LCI This pull-behind aerator is one of many different sizes and styles of turf aerator. How to defuse client's anger fielding a phone complaint Days are warming, spring rains are falling, and your cus-tomers' lawns are green and 
attractive thanks to your ex-cellent service. Even so, you may have to respond to customer com-plaints (hopefully very few) over the telephone. Here are some tips to help you defuse a client's anger: Ł Thank the customer for calling and say the name of your company clearly and dis-tinctly. Ł Give the customer the op-portunity to air the complaint completely. Then, if you need to ask questions, ask them. Again, allow the customer to respond to their satisfaction. Ł Keep pens and paper by the telephone. This will keep you from putting the customer on hold while you dig through 
a desk drawer. Ł Demonstrate to the cus-Catron reveals 6 new openings for organic firms FREDERICK, MDŠThe reces-sion has helped the growth of organic lawn care, claimed Philip E. Catron, president of 
NaturaLawn, Inc., his fran-chise operation specifically. "Today's economy has brought the opportunity for franchise companies and envi-ronmentally focused com-panies to prosper," said Catron as he announced the opening of six new Natu-raLawn franchise locations. Catron said the slow econ-omy has caused big companies 
to cut jobs, and some of these former employees are deciding to start their own companies 
through a franchise system like his own. Professional lawn care, in general, shouldn't suffer un-
duly from the recession, he noted. "Traditionally, the 
lawn care industry prospers 
from an economic recession in that homeowners tend to in-
crease their efforts to main-tain and preserve their most important investment, their 
home and property." The six newest Natu-raLawn locations: Wilmington, DE; Fullerton (Baltimore East), MD; Bell-eville, NJ; Manassas, VA; Kutztown, PA; York, PA; and Doylestown, PA. "NaturaLawn's program of turf management and control 
utilizes integrated pest man-
agement practices which pre-serve the natural enemies of pests by selective use of con-
trol materials, planting im-
proved turf varieties and by 
using good mowing, watering and thatch control tech-niques," said Catron. LCI tomer that you're on their side. This means being con-cerned and attentive. The cus-
tomer must believe you do 
want to help solve their prob-lem. Ł Don't argue and don't let frustration creep into your voice. Customers can be wrong too, but they don't want to be told they are. Ł Try to avoid putting the customer on hold while you try to sort out the problem. If a solution isn't readily available, or if you're not the correct per-son to handle it, write down the customer's name, address and telephone number, the nature of the complaint and the time of the call. Then de-termine when you or someone from your company can call back at the customer's con-
venience. Ł Call back when you said you would, even if you haven't solved the complaint yet. The customer is waiting for a call from your company. LCI i Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council Technical Advisory Committee for 1991: (I. to r.) Dr. Thomas Watschke, Patricia Sanders, Dr. Joseph Duich, Dr. John Harper II, and Dr. Peter Landschoot. Not pictured: Dr. Paul Heller, Dr. Winand Hock, and Dr. Donald Waddington. LCI IT'S EASY TO SPOT A LAWN THAT HASN'T BEEN TREATED WITH DYRENE. Leaf spot is a dead give-away for any lawn that's been treated with something other than DYRENE® Fungicide. That's because only DYRENE can give you this kind of effective, long-lasting protection. In fact, DYRENE widens your window of application with as much as 28 full days of control. So you > i Dyrene4 9113541 DYRENE is a Reg TM of Mobay Corporation ©1991 Mobay Corporation have the time to reach all your customers before the leaf spot takes hold, or spreads out of control. Ask your distributor about DYRENE today. Without it, you could find yourself in a pretty tight 
spot. For more information, contact 
Mobay Corporation, Specialty Products Ground Box 4913, Missouri 64120. A Bayer USA INC COMPANY Mobay 1$ Ciba's Taylor garners award Dr. Don Taylor, senior technical support specialist with Ciba-Geigy Turf and Ornamental Products, re-
ceived the Outstanding Industry Award from the Weed Science Society of America. This is only the third time the award was given. He also recently was elected presi-dent of the North Central Weed Sci-
ence Society. He's been with Ciba-Geigy, Greensboro, NC, since 1968, and joined the Turf and Ornamental 
group in 1989. Also, at Ciba-Geigy, Mike Oleykowski and Mickey Lovett be-
came marketing representatives for its 
Turf and Ornamental Group. Oleykowski, who had spent seven years with Lesco, replaces Mark Jirak who was promoted and moved to C-G's Seed Division. Lovett replaces A1 Dupont who re-tired after 27 years with the company. Shannon Bard was named president and chief executive officer and Thomas N. Prassas, vice presi-
dent operations, of Aquapore Moisture Systems, Phoenix. Hypro Corp., New Brighton, MN, promoted Steven Panasuk to chief engineer. David J. Camp-odonieo III joined Lebanon Chemical Corpo-ration, Lebanon, PA, as territory account manager. His territory is North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. He 
was assistant golf David Campodonico course superintendent at Kenmure Country Club, East Flat Rock, NC. Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) appointed Allen James as executive director. James comes to RISE from the International Sanitary Supply Association, Chicago. Carole Al-
laway-Pelton was promoted to 
director of adver-
tising with Rain Bird, Glendora, 
CA. She joined the company in 1979 after receiv-ing her MBA 
from the Clare-
mont Graduate Allaway.Pelton School. Carolyn Fisk from The Ohio State University received the 1990 Dick 
Duke Memorial Scholarship from Dr. Dave Martin, ChemLawn Corpora-Mark Grundman tion, Worthington, Ohio. Also, at the Ohio Turfgrass Con-ference, Tom Kreager, Nor-Am 
Chemical Company, presented his company's scholarship to David Thombs of Ohio State. 
Mark 
Grundman, 
senior turf spe-cialist for NK Medalist Turf, 
Minneapolis, MN, now working in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa and northern Wisconsin. He's been a turf spe-cialist at the company for 11 years. Cheri Briggs joins The California Landscape Contractors Association as accountant/membership specialist. Lori Cavagnaro becomes a CLCA administrative assistant; Jackie Jaq-
uez promoted to committee liaison; Micheyl Barnett to concentrate on planning meetings, creating graphics, and interfacing with printers for CLCA. Seed Research of Oregon, Inc., gave Dr. Milt Engelke, Texas A&M Uni-versity, its "Excellence in Research" award. Dr. Engelke has had a hand in 
the improvement of many turfgrass species, most recently creeping bentgrass, buffalograss and zoysia, said SR President Mike Robinson. Dr. Milt Engelke, I., and Mike Robinson Michael N. Schwendeman, be-came northern area manager for Isk Biotech, Mentor, Ohio. Formerly the Latin America area manager, Schwen-deman will oversee 28 states and Can-
ada. Richard L. Garrett promoted to products business manager. He and his wife will relocate from Ft. Myers, FL, 
to Mentor, Ohio. Brenda Corbett was named direc-
tor of marketing for Glen-Hilton Products Inc., 
Richmond, VA. Glen-Hilton manufactures the Mini-Clik II Rain Sensor and other sprinkler accesso-
ries. Charles "Buddy" Danko, south-eastern regional sales manager for Scag Power Equipment, Mayville, WI. LCj Brenda Corbett Attn. Small Landscapers: Your Options Keep Growing TL30 HydroSeeder Finn now presents the most efficient and reliable small HydroSeeder in the industry. Ł Both paddle agitation and liquid recirculation Ł 300 gallon working capacity, for small and spot work Ł 18 HP Briggs and Stratton gas engine Ł Spray distance of up 1 feet from end of hose T60 HydroSeeder Our popular 500 gallon machine is now even more j productive. WMvmmm -f Ł New slurry pump for even greater operating efficiency Ł New axle and wheel arrangement for more flotation Ł Spray distance of up to 80 feet from end of hose 
Ł 6000-7000 square feet with one load 
Ł Available with Kubota gas or diesel power Ideal machines for golf courses, park districts, cemetaries, sports fields & residential applications. FINN CORPORATION Phone (513) 874-2818 Toll Free (800) 543-7166 FAX (513) 874-2914 9281 LeSaint Drive. Fairfield. Ohio 45014 Lawn Care Association of Pennsylvania Board of Directors: Front (I. to r.): Bill DeHaven, ChemLawn; David J. Middlemiss, L&M Lawncare; Neal A. DeAngelo, Lawn Specialties; Patricia D. Raffaele, Lawn Management. Back (I. to r.): John Carson, J.C. 
Ehrlich Co.; Jim Walter, Specialty Spraying; Paul Grosh, Lebanon Chemical Corp.; Lawrence M. Ellmaker, Deiter Bros. Lawn Care; Mark Phipps, Moyer & Son. Not present: James French, Lawn 
Doctor; Tom Watschke, Pennsylvania State University; and Michael 
Kravitsky III, Grasshopper Lawns. OTF Board at Ohio Convention 1991 Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Board: (front, 1. to r.) John Fanning, Bill Pound, Paul Jacquemin, Joe Motz, Sam Stimmel, and John Street, (back, 1. to r.) Ed Eaton, Fred Bosch, Sue-Ann Brown, Ed Fisher, Tom Walker, Hank Chafin, Don Sweda, Jim Loke and Peter Miller. LCI Upscale properties like this one are most apt to be interested in organic lawn care. ORGANIC from page 12 The biggest roadblock, though, is probably the mar-ketplace. Most property owners still want immediate results. Flory said, in most situations, he can't promise that. Even so, Flory's firm claims to have developed five wholly organic, proven formulations for a variety of lawn care prob-lems. Is there profit in organic lawn care? "Sure, "once you 
recognize the limitations," said Flory. "When we conducted our original experiment, we treated a total of 20 lawns, 
averaging a total of 12,000 square feet. Our net income 
was $8,100. But please re-member, we're not selling lawn treatments as such. We're sell-ing a system. Right now our charge is $8 per 1,000 square feet per application. And it shows a decent profit." While Flory's convinced organic lawn care can become 
a profitable segment of the market, he doesn't brush off the obstacles. Each lawn has its specific problems and requires specific care, he said. There is limited knowledge available on the subject. Also, Flory acknowledged he has the benefit of buying 
many of the necessary ingre-dients in bulk through Deer Creek Farm Service. This re-duces the cost of his formula-
tions. Flory thinks the organic segment of the lawn care mar-ket will go mostly to "upscale 
folks, mostly, people with a 
long-term concern about the condition and appearance of their property. Those who have dedicated environmental concerns." LCI About the Author Terry Troy is a freelance writer living and working in Cleveland, Ohio. He's a frequent writer for the green industry. Pestide users polled In Maryland COLLEGE PARK, MDŠLawn care companies and golf 
courses are being included in a survey of Maryland pesticide users. The purpose of the survey, begun this spring, is to provide 
the U.S. Department of Agri-culture with accurate informa-
tion on the usage of various pesticides. Producers of fruits, vegetables and field crops are 
being polled along with turf managers. The goal is to head off mis-informed risk assessment by government decision makers. "Both the Alar apply hys-teria of 1989 and recent with-drawal of EBDC fungicides from the marketplace proba-bly could have been avoided if accurate information had 
been available on their actual 
usage," says Amy E. Brown, pesticide information coordi-nator for the Cooperative Ex-tension Service University of Maryland. Brown asks all pesticide users contacted by survey 
workers to cooperate fully in answering. LCI Historic farm is now making turf FREDERICKSBERG, VA Š 
Southern Turf Nurseries says 
its Hopyard Farm is now pro-ducing both turfgrass sod and sprigs. The Georgia-based com-pany bought the 990-acre farm in 1989. It's now producing cool-season certified turf-type Rebel II tall fescue, certified bluegrass, Meyer zoysia, Tif-way, and Vamont Bermu-dagrass. Harvesting began in April. Fogarty outing against CF June 11 CLEVELANDŠThe annual Cystic Fibrosis charity drive base-ball outing, sponsored by Crowley Lawn Service Inc., will be June 11. The company's president, Phil Fogarty, has long been active in the fight against CF by conducting the fundraising event. The tickets are used as premiums for Crowley customers who pre-pay their contracts, plus they are distributed to employees, landscapers, vendors, community leaders and other friends and 
family members. A number of people within the region make the game an annual event, although Fogarty estimates that 10 percent of the tickets are claimed by first-time customers. Forgarty notes that ducats also are sold to people who simply wish to help find a cure for CF, the top genetic killer of young people in the country. Over 600 attended last year's game against CF, and those wishing to help this year can reach Fogarty at (216) 531-5446. LCI Located on the Rappahan-nock River about 12 miles from Fredericksberg, the Hopyard Farm has been in ag-ricultural production since the colonial days. It received its name because it once pro-duced brewing hops. LCI James Bridges, general manager Hopyard Farm An LCO's nightmare? You bet it is but Brent Flory says an organic approach can solve this problem...over time. Nine ways to help home turf survive summer dry times Ł Have the lawn aerated. Aeration will improve water penetration and encourage deeper roots. The plugs produced by aeration should be left on the lawn, as they can help decompose thatch. Ł Apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Pre-emergent her-bicides, intended for use on turf, are excellent for preventing major weed infestations. To be effective, these materials must be applied prior to the germination of weeds like crabgrass, spurge and oxalis. Ł Hand pull or spot spray weeds as they appear. Weeds can thrive in a drought-stressed lawn. Besides being unsightly, they rob turf of water and nutrients, while crowd-ing out desirable grasses. Ł Don't over-fertilize lawns. Fertilization should be done to encourage root development and to replace essential nutrients lost due to leaching and transpiration. Ł Have sprinkler systems evaluated. Old or poorly designed sprinkler systems can be very inefficient. Install an 
automatic sprinkler controller with multiple cycle start time 
capacity. Upgrading existing sprinkler systemscan save 
water and money. Ł Inspect and fine tune sprinkler systems. Sprinkler heads should be inspected regularly for coverage and block-age. Clocks should be adjusted monthly for weather and other conditions. Ł Advise clients to water early in the morning. Midday watering, when the weather is hot and dry, can waste water due to excessive evaporation. Ł Water infrequently but thoroughly. Watering to a depth of four to six inches will encourage deeper, healthier root development and allow the turf to go without water for longer periods of time. (Recent research at Michigan State University, however, suggests that frequent, light watering is 
better for turfgrass disease control.) Ł Advise clients that watering a lawn in two short cycles is better than one long cycle. Splitting watering 
time in half and repeating it again about one hour later, reduces water runoff and waters more deeply. This information supplied by the California Landscape Contractors Association, Sacramento. LCI ASPA awards grants to four ROLLING MEADOWS, IL Š The American Sod Producers Association awarded grants totalling nearly to $21,000 to: Ł Dr. P. Busey, University of Florida, "High Impact Turf: Design Specification for Nat-ural Sodded Parking Areas." Ł Dr. M. C. Carroll, Univer-sity of Maryland, "Sediment Capture by Materials Used to Line Construction Site Wa-terways." Ł Dr. G. L. Horst, Univer-sity of Nebraska, "Water Use of Turfgrasses and Ground Covers in Conventional and Xeriscape Conditions." Dr. H. T. Wilkinson, Uni-versity of Illinois, "An Inte-
grated Biological Control Program to Reduce Fungicides used for the Con-trol of Lawn Diseases." LCI NEW PRODUCTS Parker improves its Thatch-O-Matic model The Parker Sweeper Com-pany redesigned its Thatch-O-Matic Power Rake. Three reel options are available: spring tines aggres-sively remove thatch from es-
tablished lawns; flail reels for particularly dense thatch or where partial renovation is re-
quired; fixed slicing knives for 
verticutting, aeration and root cultivation on creeping 
grasses. Circle No. 157 on service card. Direct Safety says its catalog is free The new 1991 Master Catalog from Direct Safety Company 
features health and safety products for pesticide applica-tion and grounds mainte-nance. This 132-page catalog offers the latest technology from major health and safety product manufacturers. Included are chemical stor-age cabinets, environmental monitors, masks and respira-tors, eye, face and hand protec-
tion, Right-to-Know materials, 
etc. Circle No. 158 on service card. Turf Mark WSP is in smaller packets Becker-Underwood's Turf Mark WSP blue spray indica-tor has been reformulated. It's now offered in water-soluble packets to treat 50 gallons of spray solution. The new smaller size makes Turf Mark WSP packets easier to handle, ship, store, and it goes into solution faster. 
Circle No. 152 on service card. Protective clothing has many features Direct Safety's 20-mil noncon-ductive protective wear is 
designed for worker safety, 
ease of movement, and protec-tion from cold and damp. Safety-yellow in color, each piece of the three-unit suit is multi-coated inside with poly-urethane over nylon. All seams are double-lap stitched and sealed. Features: coat with raglan sleeves, snap storm 
front, pants with all elastic sus-penders and bib, and detacha-ble hood with nylon snaps. Circle No. 155 on service card. n W 3Ç e" n Product helps stop drift from sprayers Precision Laboratories says Direct is a new technology to control chemical drift and de-position. It reduces the risk of chemical trespass to non-tar-
get areas and increases deposi-tion by more than 30 percent. Direct is formulated to elimi-nate spray droplets measuring 
less than 100 microns. It can be used in small quantitiesŠas lit-tle as two ounces treats 100 gal-lons. It's compatible with most water-soluble and wettable powder pesticides and desic-cants, and is packaged in one 
quarter plastic containers. Circle No. 156 on service card. AFTER Cushman unveils new hydraulic dump unit Cushman Inc.'s hydraulically operated dump trailer, towed behind a Cushman Turf-Truckster, can haul up to 20 
cubic feet of cargo. Because of the 5th wheel configuration, the new unit has excellent maneuverability. The Turf-Truckster must be 
equipped with the special quick-attach 5th wheel hitch 
and the live hydraulics pack-
age. The trailer box measures 48 inches wide by 60 inches long by 12 inches deep. Hydraulic 
dumping of the trailer is con-
trolled from the Turf-Truck-ster seat. Circle No. 154 on service card. More Lawns Greener Greens Fewer Callbacks That's a promise we can prove! With N-SURE,®a triazone nitrogen source with low urea, the benefits are significant. Ł A controlled, slow release, non-burning nitrogen means greener, healthier turf. Ł Faster and easier application with less water, less waste and less downtime for more jobs per day. (Can be applied concentrated in the hottest weather.) Ł Less volatilization means more N in the turf. Ł No more clogged nozzles and screens. Ł Compatible with the most commonly used herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. For more information on remarkable N-SURE, write or give us a call. Arcadian Corporation Triazone Division 6750 Poplar Avenue, Suite 600, Memphis, TN 38138-7419 Circle No. 102 on Reader Inquiry Card Phone: 1-800-654-4514 01991 Arcadian Corporation Scott & Sons offers new fertilizer plus O.M. Scott & Sons Company offers High Density (HD) Fer-
tilizer Plus Dicot Weed Con-trol III. It provides consistent post-emergent control of more than 50 broadleaf weeds in-
cluding chickweed, dandelion 
and plantain. It also offers a feeding of controlled-release, methylene-urea-based nitrogen; phospho-rus; and potassium sulfate. It's for use on all cool-season turfgrasses, and is also effec-
tive on Bermudagrass, bahiagrass and cen-tipedegrass. This dry-applied, granular product is formulated with no inert carriers or fillers. Circle No. 151 on service card. 32-4-3 a pSïïSr I ControTin I Rhone-Poulenc's new jug won't glug Rhone-Poulenc introduces a 2.5-gallon plastic jug that pours nearly twice as fast as standard jugs, does not allow materials to drip down the outside of the container, and 
dramatically reduces worker 
exposure. All Rhone-Poulenc liquid products packaged in 2.5-gal-lon containers, including Chipco® branded specialty products, will now be placed in the new jug. The jug's patented pour spout also prevents materials from running down the out-side of the jug, which means partially empty containers can be placed back on a shelf for storage without the need for cleanups. Circle No. 153 on service card. Have a SPILL? Call Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300 CLASSIFIED FOR SALE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY RATES: 75 cents per word (minimum charge, $25). Boldface words or words in all capital letters charged at $1 per word. Boxed or display ads 
charged at $70 per column inch,1X; $65, 3X; $60, 
6X; $55.12X (one inch minimum). Agency commis-sions will be given only when camera-ready art is 
provided by agency. For ads using blind box num-ber, add $5 to total cost of ad. Send ad copy with payment to: Dawn Nilsen, LAWN CARE INDUS-
TRY. 1 East First St.. Duluth, MN 55802. (218) 
723-9200 BOX NUMBER REPLIES Mail box number replies to: Lawn Care Industry. Classified Ad Department, 1 East First St., Duluth, MN 55802. Please include box number in address. WANTED WANTED BUSINESS TO PURCHASE If you have an indoor pest or lawn/tree & shrub care business and are inter-ested in selling. I would like to talk with you. Our company has businesses coast to coast and is aggressively look-ing to expand. Please contact me per-sonally at: ALL GREEN CORPORATION Paul R. Anderegg (404) 992-6100 Š Confidentiality Maintained Š FOR SALE: 1990 Ford 1 Ton Spray Truck, 600 gallon FMC Tank, 1010 Bean Pump with PTO Driven Hannay Hose Reel with 400 feet of spray hose. Very low mileage. (502)267-0055. 5/91 HANNAY HOSE REELS: New in the box. E1526's and E1530's - $359. We will ship and pay freight anywhere in the U.S.A. and Canada. Immediate delivery. Other size reels and parts available at fabulous savings! Call 313-543-2200, in Michigan. 
Outside Michigan - 1-800-843-LAWN. TF 1986 CHEVY 1 TON DIESEL SPRAY TRUCK: 600 gallon FMC tank, 1010 bean pump with PTO driven Hannay hose reel with 400 feet of hose. Low mileage. 502-684-4331. 5/91 One Lawn Truck - Mercedes Benz Diesel: Excel-lent condition-1981. 1,200 gallon 2 compartment stainless steel tank. Also holds 1,000 lbs. of dry fertilizer. Hydro-cell 25 gallons per minute pump. 2 hose reels with guns. $8,900. 201-891-6035. 5/91 SPRAY TRUCKS: (2) 1989, (1) 1988 ISUZU light 
heavy duty Diesel. 600 gallon fiberglass tank, Hannay reel, 2 storage compartments and 400 ft. of hose. Professionally maintained and equipped to spray. Contact: Mark Bodkin at 1-800-444-0504 outside Florida or 813-855-7347 in Florida. 5/91 SERVICES Training Programs: Effectively train your new and experienced employees in the least amount of 
time with minimal management involvement. 
Complete weekly lesson packages including handouts, quizzes and documentation forms. Train at your location, at your convenience. Topics include pesticide safety and handling, agronomic 
and horticultural issues, customer service and sales, driver safety and more. Both lawn and tree and shrub care programs available. Recertifica-tion credits often available. Pesticide Control Technology Services, Inc. Call Paul Skorupa at 401-294-1384. 5/91 HELP WANTED LOOKING FOR A CHANGE? - ORKIN Plantscap-ing Division (Interior Landscaping) needs good General Managers, Sales Managers and Assis-tant Managers to meet the needs of its fastest growing division. If you have a Horticultural educa-tion or background and management or sales ex-perience, this could be a chance in a lifetime opportunity for you. Managers will supervise Ser-vice Technicians who service plants inside build-ings on a weekly basis and direct salespeople, designers and administrative personnel. Please send your resume to: Gordon Crenshaw, Vice President, Orkin Plantscaping Division, P.O. Box 647, Atlanta, Georgia 30301. A Division of Rollins, Inc. 5/91 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES CURB KING: Curbing machine that lays continu-ous concrete landscape borders. Financing available. Low investment, high returns. For infor-mation call 303-434-5337 or write P.O. Box 40567, Grand Junction, CO 81504. TF GRAYSON COLLEGE, Denison, Texas: Two-year technical program in Golf Course and Turfgrass Management. 18-hole golf course on campus. 
Dormitories, placement assistance, financial aid and scholarships available. Contact: GCC, 6101 
Grayson Drive, Denison, TX 75020.214-465-6030, extension 253. 6/91 ADVERTISERS INDEX NO. ADVERTISER PAGE 101 Andersons, The 22 102 Arcadian Corporation . .26 103 24 104 Hoechst Roussel 17 105 Howard Johnson 11 106 Knox Fertilizer 13 116 Lebanon Chemical ... .16 107 Lesco, Ine 28 108 Mobay 6-7 109 Mobay 21 110 Mobay 23 111 5 112 Ringer 8 114 Special Products 15 113 Terrycare Products Co . .8 This index provided as an additional ser-vice. The publisher assumes no liability for ommission or error. Buy thru Sell thru ... Classifieds Get Results sendaclassifiedadyerts message ...write here. " (Please Print). 1. Number of insertions: (circle one) 1 2 3 6
 9 12 TF (Til Forbid) 2. Start with (month) issue (Copy must be in by 1st of month preceding) 3. Amount enclosed: $. PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY ORDER. SIGNATURE DATE. NAME COMPANY STREET CITY STATE ZIP. PHONE NUMBER MAIL AD COPY TO: Dawn Nilsen, Lawn Care Industry, 1 East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802. RATES: 1.05 per word (minimum charge $40). Boldface words or words in all capital letters charged at $1.30 per word. Boxed or display ads: $90 per column Inch for 1x insertion (minimum one Inch); $85 for 3x insertion; $80 for 6x insertion; $75 for 9x insertion; $70 for 12x insertion. (Frequencies based on a calendar year). Agency commissions will be given only when camera ready art is provided by agency. For ads using blind box number, add $20 to total cost of the ad per issue. Send ad copy with payment to Dawn Nilsen, Lawn Care Industry, 1 East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802. (218) 723 9179. FAX Number (218) 723-9615. ' Š Š Š Š ŠŠ Š ŠŁ mmvm. >mwm -mmmm m^m mmmm mmmm mmmm Š mmmm m^ m^ Š Š Š Š Š Š Š Š At LESCO, great turf is a matter of choice Renovator-20 Ł Early Order Program Price: $2,695.00 Ł 8 horsepower Honda Engine Ł Spring-loaded reverse makes tight areas acces-sible and loading and unloading a snap! Ł Front mounted seed box improves germination 
rate Ł Hydraulic drive mini-mizes down time Ł Slicing/seeding width of 20 inches Aerator-30 Ł Early Order Program Price: $1045.00 Ł 5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton I/C engine Ł Unique tine pattern for optimum penetration Ł Excellent maneuverabil-ity and reliability Ł Two steel caster wheels with pneumatic tires Dethatcher Ł Early Order Program Price: $645.00 Ł 5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton I/C engine Ł Multiple adjustments of blade depth Ł Dethatching width of 19 inches Ł Heavy-duty welded steel deck LESCO knows there's more than one way to achieve healthier turf. That's why we've engineered three 
machines for you: The Renovator-20, Aerator-30, and Dethatcher. These are rugged units designed with turf 
professionals in mind. Rely 
on them this season in your battle to control thatch 
build-up, promote healthier root systems, and improve seed germination. The Renovator-20, Aerator-30 and Dethatcher are built for durability, maneuverability and min-
imum maintenance. They're operator friendly, making quick work of core or thatch removal in 
all types of turfgrass. You 
can count on each unit becoming an efficient, 
profitable addition to your arsenal of turf man-agement equipment. ORDER NOW AND SAVE Purchase the Renovator-20, Aerator-30, or Dethatcher between May 15 th and July 1st 
and take advantage of our E.O.P. pricing. And no payment is due until October 1st! Make the right choice and order today. Contact your LESCO Sales Representative, visit a near-
by LESCO Service Center, 
or call (800) 321-5325. In Cleveland, call 333-9250. ESTABLISHED 1962 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Fertilizers, Seed, Control Products, Equipment, Parts LESCO Š Your first choice in turf main-tenance equipment ©1991 LESCO, Inc. Circle No. 107 on Reader Inquiry Card